Social Justice Min seeks more funds for SC student’s scholarships

The Centre is unable to reimburse post-matric scholarships for the Scheduled Caste students so far in the current financial year, as the Union Social Justice Ministry is facing liquidity crunch and has sought additional funds.

According to the Union Social Justice Ministry, out of its plan budget of Rs 6,500 crore, Rs 4,667 crore was released by September end. This is 71.8 per cent of its plan budget.

However, there is an arrear demand of Rs 8,000 crore under Post-Matric Scholarship (SC), of which, a minimum of Rs 5,400 crore which accounts for the entire arrears up to 2015-16 and one third of current year’s demand is required urgently, the ministry said.