CPI hails Centre's scholarship scheme;asks for supervisory mechanism

New Delhi, Jan 31 (UNI) Welcoming the Union Cabinet's decision to provide 25 lakh pre-matric scholarships to the minority students as the '' first positive step'' towards implementing the Sachar Committee Report, the CPI today asked the UPA government it must also ensure its proper supervisory mechanism.

''The move was initiated but there is no indication who would supervise the implementation of the scheme,'' the Left party said.

It, however, added the Cabinet's decision yesterday to provide 25 lakh pre-matric scholarships to minority communities in state-run and private institutions, must be described as the ''first positive step'' towards the implementation of the Sachar Committee Report.

Recently Minorities Affairs Minister A R Antulay had indicated that a special scholarship scheme would be formulated while presenting the Action Taken Report (ATR) of the Sachar Committee Report.

CPI leaders A B Bardhan and Shamim Faizi told UNI the Centre's proposal was welcome but the experience so far was most of the funds remained unutilised due to ''lack of political will at the state level''.

''This is , however, a small step towards removing educational backwardness among the minority communities. If the government is really serious to provide educational facilities, it should earmark 20 per cent of the funds allocated to the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan for the minorities,'' they added.

The Left leaders further said this amount should be used to open more primary and secondary educational schools in blocks where Muslims constitute 40 per cent of the population. ''At least a college and a professional educational institution of higher studies in selected districts dominated by the minorties should be set up,'' they added.

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