Welcome Increase In Funds For Post Matric Scholarships To SC Students
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
View all posts by this Author
By Linus Garg
First publised on 2020-12-25 03:08:16
About the Author
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
View all posts by this Author
The NDA government needs to be commended for increasing the funds for scholarship to post-matriculate Scheduled Castes (SC) students whose household income is less than Rs 250000 annually. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced that the government will increase its share of the Post Matric Scholarship for SC students from Rs 1100 crore per year now to Rs 6000 crore per year during the period from 2020-12 to 2025-26. This is a huge jump and will benefit a large number of marginalized students.
In India, it is not just the absence of means that prevents poor but meritorious students from pursuing higher studies. Once a student passes his or her matriculation exam, he or she is expected to work to augment the family income and help in making ends meet. Parents do not have the luxury to think that higher education will bring higher income as they are hard pressed to make ends meet.
But a scholarship goes a long way in both retaining and bringing back meritorious students in the higher education system. The money is well spent by the government as these students become empowered through education to look after their families. Their success also encourages others like them to see the light at the end of the tunnel and make an effort to improve their situation in life.
It is also good that from this year, the scholarship will be provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, using the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System. That will ensure that the full amount reaches the beneficiary. This scheme too has in the past come in for flak for delays, improper disbursements, scams and misappropriations. The government must sort out the systemic challenges and ensure that the amount reaches the beneficiaries in full and within time.
