Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for students from weaker economic background belonging to the 6 notified minority communities

232.  SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL
         ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  discontinue  pre-matric  scholarship  for minority students studying in classes one to eight;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has noted the widespread objection against this decision and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(d) whether the Government proposes to withdraw the decision to discontinue pre-matric scholarship up to eighth standard; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT AS REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION *232 FOR ANSWER ON 22.12.2022 BY  SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL AND ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH REGARDING SCHOLARSHIP TO MINORITY STUDENTS

(a) to (e): Ministry of Minority Affairs implements Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for students from weaker economic background belonging to the 6 notified minority communities, namely, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Parsi and Sikh. The coverage under the scheme has been modified from 2022-23 and made applicable for classes IX and X only as the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 provides for free and compulsory elementary education (classes I to VIII) to each and every child. This modification has also been done to harmonize the Scheme with the identical Scholarship Schemes implemented by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Ministry  of  Tribal Affairs and hence there is no proposal to withdraw the decision of discontinuation of Pre- Matric Scholarship up to eighth standard.

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