UPA raises income ceiling to Rs 4.5 lakh for ST scholarships

In a political sop for tribals ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government on Thursday raised the annual family income ceiling from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh under a higher education scholarship scheme of the centre to benefit the community.

The proposal, cleared by Union Cabinet in its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was made by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to enable more students, belonging to scheduled tribes (STs), avail benefits of the scheme.

The Central Sector scholarship scheme of “Top Class Education for ST students”, which came into force with effect from 2007-08, aims at providing adequate financial support to tribal students for pursuing professional education in select premier institutions of the country.

As per Cabinet’s decision, the enhanced annual income ceiling under the scheme will come into effect from the “selection year” 2013-14.

“The enhancement of the ceiling of the annual total family income from all sources will enable larger number of ST students avail benefits of the scheme.  This will also act as a major incentive for ST students pursuing higher and technical education,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said.

The decision does not entail any additional burden. The expenditure on account of revision of the scheme would be met under the existing budget allocation for each year, he added.