Bhubaneswar,Nov.19: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot to restore the funding pattern of the post-matric scholarship programme for Scheduled Caste students.
Naveen made the request in a letter written to Gehlot after the Center abruptly changed the funding pattern under Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste students.
Patnaik said, “The Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, wherein until 2016-17 the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment was providing about 90%, while the State Government was bearing the remaining 10 % of the actual expenditure. Accordingly, during 2016-17, the Central share was Rs 215.80 Crore, while the State Share was Rs 22.48 Crore.”
“It is a matter of great concern that from 2017-18 onwards, the Ministry has revised the liability of the State Government towards post matric scholarship, wherein the State Government has to bear more than 80% of the total expenditure. During 2017-18, the State Government had to provide Rs. 238.28 Crore, while the Ministry allocated a meagre Rs 35.12 Crore. During 2018-19, the State Government has to provide Rs.238.28 Crore, while Government of India share is projected to be Rs.49.39 Crore,” the chief minister said.
Patnaik, in the letter, stated that it has been the highest priority of the Odisha Government to provide quality education to weaker sections of the society, particularly ST and SC students. Approximately 2 lakh Scheduled Caste students are provided post-matric scholarships for higher education in Odisha.
Such an abrupt change in the funding pattern by the Ministry has given a severe jolt to the post-matric scholarship programme for Scheduled Caste students, the letter further stated.
Patnaik has sought the personal intervention of the Union Minister to reconsider the matter and restore the funding pattern of 90:10 for smooth implementation of the post-matric scholarship programme for Scheduled Caste students.
Prasanta Patnaik