Several minority scholarship schemes discontinued after 2021-22, Minority Affairs Mister tells Rajya Sabha

The Centre has discontinued the implementation of a number of scholarship schemes for minority college students past 2021-22, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tells Rajya Sabha on Monday (March 30, 3036).

The Minister was responding to a query by Member of Parliament (CPI-M) from Kerala, John Brittas, who had sought particulars of the scholarship schemes at the moment obtainable for the minority college students in any respect levels of training and the variety of beneficiaries, State-wise.

Mr. Brittas has additionally requested in regards to the complete scholarship quantity allotted and truly given annually over the past 5 years, State-wise together with the small print of the scholarship schemes for minorities which had been stopped or merged within the final 5 years.

Responding to the query, Mr. Rijwiju in a written reply on March thirtieth stated that whereas pre-matric, post-matric and merit-cum-means scholarships had been applied throughout the nation, they weren’t accredited for continuation after 2021-22. Payments made in 2022-23 pertained solely to pending liabilities, he added.

The authorities identified that minority college students proceed to be lined underneath broader schemes such because the Central Sector Scholarship for faculty and college college students underneath the PM-USP Yojana and the Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. According to information submitted to the House, the variety of beneficiaries underneath the minority scholarship schemes declined considerably after 2021-22 throughout most States.

The reply additionally famous that the Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship has been merged with different schemes, and that pre-matric scholarships have been restricted to Classes IX and X following the implementation of the Right to Education Act.

Budget figures for 5 years, as requested by the MP, point out a decline in each allocation and expenditure lately, with precise spending dropping sharply after 2021-22. Mr. Brittas, on Thursday (April 2) tweeted the reply given by the Ministry and criticized for poor utilisation of funds. “Parliament allocated thousands of crores for minority welfare every year. The Ministry simply didn’t spend it. 2022-23: ₹5020 crore allocated and only ₹837 crore spent. In 2023-24: 3097 crore allocated and only 1032 crore spent. In 2024-25: 3183 crore allocated and only 1396 crore spent. Several Scholarship Schemes for Minorities were discontinued or subsumed after 2021-22. Lakhs of students pushed out of support. Not lack of funds. Lack of intent. When education support shrinks, inequality grows,” he stated.