Budget 2012: Increase in scholarship schemes for minorities


The 2012-13 Budget increases significantly the outlay for scholarship schemes being implemented by the government for students belonging to minorities.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs has got an outlay of Rs. 3,135 crore in the Union General Budget 2012-13 announced today.

This is an increase of Rs. 385 crore over the revised budget estimates for the current FY 2011-12.

Some of the highlights are: the provision for pre-matric scholarship has been increased from Rs. 540 crore to Rs. 810 crore; post-matric scholarship gets Rs. 450 crore – up from Rs. 405 crore; and merit-cum-means scholarship scheme gets Rs. 198 crore.

In addition to the above, provision for Maulana Azad National Fellowship for minority students has been enhanced from Rs. 47 crore to Rs. 63 crore.

The Union General Budget 2012-13 also provides Rs. 4.50 crore for a new scheme to provide free cycles to girl students of class IX with the objective of retention of minority girl students from class IX onwards.

Further, skill development initiatives has been provided Rs. 18 crore in the Budget to allow urban and rural livelihoods to improve for inclusive growth by providing skill to the minority communities.

The government has also provided Rs.45 crore for promotion of education in 100 minority concentration areas.

The ministry will get Rs.19.70 crore as non-plan provision so that the total finances available with it for 2012-13 is Rs.3,154.70 crore.

The revised budget estimates for the year 2011-12 was at Rs. 2,750 crore.