No one will be denied education loans: Chidambaram

Kolar, Karnataka, Apr 15 (UNI) Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said no student, who has got admission to a professional course but faces a shortage of funds, will be denied a loan from public sector banks.

Speaking at a conclave of SHGs at Honnenahalli in this district, he said the UPA Government has given utmost importance to educating students from rural areas who pursued professional courses. The banks had extended loans to nine lakh students to the tune of Rs 13,000 crore and Canara Bank alone had given Rs 1,234 crore as loans.

Mr Chidambaram told rural women, ''If your son or daughter gets admission in a professional college, they will be provided loans. Here I want to give a clear message to all bank managers that a student, who gains admission for specified recognised course, should not be denied education loans under any circumstance. Every student who wants to join a course in medicine, dental science, engineering, nursing, MSc or MCom should get loans.'' He said if they were denied loans by public sector banks, the parents or students themselves could write to him directly by post card. ''I will rush to your help,'' he assured.

The Minister urged the rural women to give equal weightage to daughters like sons for pursuing higher education.

UNI