CHENNAI — Tamil
Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise
the family income ceiling for post-matric and pre-matric scholarships for SC/ST
and OBC students from INR 2.5 lakh to INR 8 lakh.
In a letter to the Prime Minister on Tuesday (December 10),
Stalin highlighted the urgent need to enhance the annual family income limit
for these scholarships, currently capped at INR 2.5 lakh, by the Union
Government.
He noted that the income ceiling for the Economically Weaker
Section (EWS) has been revised to INR 8 lakh.
Additionally, he pointed out that similar schemes like the
National Overseas Scholarship and the Top-Class Education Scheme for SC/ST
students have adopted the Rs 8 lakh limit, benefiting many students from
disadvantaged backgrounds.
Stalin stated in the letter: “I request your favourable
intervention in this matter to consider and increase the annual family income
ceiling for post-matric and pre-matric scholarships for SC/ST/OBC students from
INR 2.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh at the earliest.”
The Chief Minister
also cited the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report, which shows
a significantly lower Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for SC/ST students and
certain OBC groups compared to the general population.
He underscored the stark disparities in enrolment figures
and stressed the importance of facilitating higher education opportunities for
members of these communities.
Stalin emphasised that providing post-matric and pre-matric
scholarships would greatly enhance the enrolment of SC/ST students in higher
education institutions. In our view, increasing the annual income ceiling for
these scholarships from INR 2.5 lakh to INR 8 lakh on par with EWS criteria is
not only essential but also fully justified.
This move, he argued, is critical to ensuring equitable
access to education for historically disadvantaged groups.
