New Delhi: A Parliamentary panel report Tuesday highlighted how just about 28 per cent of the targeted 4 crore students have benefited from the government’s Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste students in the last two years.
It is one of the main schemes under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and aims to provide/supplement financial assistance to Scheduled Castes students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to pursue higher education.
The report of the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment was tabled in Parliament Tuesday.
Post-Matric scholarship scheme
The scheme has been in existence since 1944, and it helps students to pursue any post-Matric course starting from class 11 onwards, with the government meeting the cost of their education.
At present, the scheme guarantees financial assistance to fulfill the aspirations of those Scheduled Caste students whose parents’ annual income does not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh.
In its report, the committee noted that only 113.15 lakh students have benefitted during 2018-19 and 2019-20 (upto 31 December), and said the number of beneficiaries should be “much more”.
“…only 113.15 lakh students have benefited during the last two years i.e., 2018-19 and 2019-20 upto 31st December, 2020 with an expenditure of ₹ 8639.47 crore under this Scheme. The Committee feels that the number of beneficiaries should be much more i.e., around 80 lakh per year to realize the number of 4 crore students, projected to be benefitted in the next 5 years,” the report said.
While the scheme is financed on 60:40 basis by the central and state governments, the committee noted that states haven’t been giving their share efficiently, which has resulted in students not getting their scholarships in time. The Centre is mandated to give its share after the states disburse theirs.
“Nonetheless, all State Governments are not very efficient in giving their share on time, hence the Committee feels that an appropriate system may be developed so that the students are not deprived of Scholarship in the absence or delay in providing share by the States,” the report said.
The panel also recommended that adequate awareness be created among the students so they can avail the benefits of the scheme and the target of 4 crore beneficiaries can be met in five years.
The panel directed the state governments to issue FreeShip cards to all eligible students who have applied under the scheme. The FreeShip Card allows students to take admission in any institution of their choice anywhere in the country without paying any fee.
Also read: Modi govt to now fund 60% of post-Matric scholarship scheme for Scheduled Caste students
Broadband connectivity issues delaying scholarships
While the panel noted that the number of beneficiaries under the scheme is much less than desired, it also said there may be delay in filing all requisite data online for the scholarships due to broadband connectivity issues in remote and backward areas.
“The Committee feels that a reasonable relaxation in timelines can be considered by the Government for such areas, in consultation with the stakeholders, and hence desire that this matter may be discussed in the next meeting between the Department and the stakeholders/State Welfare Ministers & Secretaries,” the report said.
Only 49 districts manual scavenging-free
The panel also looked at the Survey Report of NITI Aayog and noted that only 49 districts are free from manual scavenging while the practice continues in 194 districts across 18 states.
The committee recommended that skill development training needs to cover more people and financial assistance measures need to be popularised to create vocational options for those engaged in manual scavenging. It also promised to take note of the actions taken by the ministry once the recommendations are actualised.
(Edited by Sanghamitra Mazumdar)
Also read: Govt asks states if they want to take part in post-Matric scholarship scheme for SC students