Scholarships for BC students hiked; Maulana Azad schools to be set up

The budget has allocated Rs 3,154 crore to Backward Classes Welfare Department, with several incentives for education of youth.

The construction of 300 post-matric hostels for students of backward classes is to be taken up in a phased manner at a  cost of Rs 279 crore. Devaraj Urs Research Centre is to become autonomous.

The scholarship for backward class students who get first class in SSLC/PU/Degree/PG in their first attempt has been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000, from Rs 300 to Rs 1,500, from Rs 400 to Rs 2,000 and from Rs 500 to Rs 3,000, respectively.

A subsidy of Rs 3 lakh or 50% of the vehicle cost will be provided to unemployed youth who have driving licences.

The budget has allocated Rs 2,200 crore for the department of Minority Welfare and Haj.
To bring back children of the minority community who have dropped out of school, it is proposed to open 200 Maulana Azad model schools over two years in places where government urdu schools have been closed.

Ten working women’s hostels are to be set up in Bengaluru and other corporation areas at a cost of Rs 2 crore each. One-time incentive will be provided to students who get admission to IIM, IIT, IISc or other national institutions.

A cultural centre will be set up in Bidar on the occasion of the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh at a cost of Rs 5 crore and another Rs 10 lakh has been allocated for renovation of gurdwaras. A Haj Bhavan is to be set up in Mangaluru at a cost of Rs 10 crore.