Educational aid for SC/ST students raised to Rs 1.5 lakh

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has planned to increase money for the Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojna from Rs 40,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh per student. Here the students get the fund to prepare for the competitive exams. "The department found that the amount of money should increase as it would allow more students to come forward to take the initiative," said Rajendra Pal Gautam, the social welfare minister in Delhi government.

Delhi government had launched the 'Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojna', a scheme that provides educational assistance of up to Rs 40,000 to students from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Castes and minority communities. The scheme will also provide these students with free coaching at established coaching institutions for entrance to medical and engineering courses, and competitive examinations such as Railway Recruitment Board, banking, insurance etc.

Initially, the assistance was provided to 100 students and later extended to 5,000 students. Students whose annual family income is below Rs 2 lakh will get 100 per cent assistance, while those with annual income between Rs 2-6 lakh will get 75 per cent assistance. The government also provides students a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500, apart from the free coaching. Talking about the application process, Gautam pointed out that such a scheme was needed as many intelligent students failed to make a mark in competitive examinations due to lack of proper coaching, which renowned institutes provided.

"We want to give a better future and for that we have funds. The government under CM Arvind Kejriwal is ready to spend funds for proper causes and the Chief Minister has always stood beside the developments of the minorities in the city," Gautam said. He also explained that with time the cost of living in the city has increased and also the fees for the big coachings have increased.

"When I launched the scheme not many coaching centres came forward but now the picture is different. We want the students to take coaching from the best centres and that's why we are increasing the money," the minister said. However, the cabinet note has yet to get sanctions from all the related department and after it gets the OK, the note would be placed in front of the Cabinet. Meanwhile, on Tuesday CM met a delegation of the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DICCI) for the empowerment of Dalit community.