2.5 million scholarships for minorities approved

New Delhi, Jan 30 (UNI) The Government today approved a scheme, providing for 2.5 million pre-matric scholarships to meritorious minority students, entailing an expenditure of Rs 1,868.50 crore during the 11th Plan.

As much as 30 per cent of the scholarships will be earmarked for girl students of each minority community in a State or Union Territory, Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs that took the decision.

Under the scheme, to be launched during 2007-08, scholarships will be awarded to minority students who are studying in India in Government or private schools from Class I to X, including residential Government institutes, and eligible private institutes selected and notified in a transparent manner by the State Governments and Union Territories concerned.

The maximum ceiling of tution fee entitlement will be Rs 350 a month, subject to actuals.

The rates of maintenance allowance will be Rs 600 a month for hostellers from Class VI onwards, subject to actuals, and Rs 100 a month for day-scholars from Class I onwards.

Admission fee from Class VI onwards will be Rs 500 per annum, subject to actuals.

Of the total amount, Rs 1,408.40 crore will be borne by the Centre, while Rs 460.10 crore will be shared by the States.

Union Territories will be provided 100 per cent Central assistance.

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