Sharing of scholarship to minorities by states causes uproar in LS

New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) The BJP today raised an uproar in the Lok Sabha, taking exception to Congress MP Sachin Pilot's remark whether those state governments which are not 'comfortable' with the very name of minorities would also contribute towards the scholarship fund for the community students.

Posing a query to Minister for Minorities A R Antulay, Mr Pilot said BJP ruled states would foot their 25 per cent share in the Central fund meant for scholarship to minority students.

Upset over Mr Pilot making a special mention to the BJP ruled states, the members got up asking the Chair to direct the MP to withdraw his remarks.

Amid the rumpus, the Minister made it clear that Uttarakhand, Mizoram, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Haryana and Karnataka had so far endorsed the Centre's proposal of sharing of 25 per cent of the scholarship funds by the states.

Mr Antulay also made it clear that scholarship would be given to minority students from the standard first to 10th class with marks more than 50 per cent in the previous class whether they are studying in government or private schools. The scholarship amount could be increased if necessary, he said.

The scholarship scheme had been launched by the government in an effort to create a sense of belonging among the minorities and to ensure equal opportunities for the deprived religious groups.

UNI JSS Mir AS1354