Free coaching is provided to students of minority communities under the ‘Free Coaching and Allied Scheme’ for their overall development and to boost employment opportunities among them, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Wednesday.
“The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) has been implementing Free Coaching and Allied Scheme for students of minority communities all over the country including North Eastern states,” Naqvi said.
While replying to a question in Lok Sabha, the minister said free coaching is provided to students belonging to six notified minority communities through selected or empanelled coaching institutions for preparation to qualify examinations in order to get admission in technical and professional courses.
“They are getting free coaching to prepare for competitive examinations for recruitment to Group “A” , “B” and “C” services and other equivalent posts under the Central and State governments including public sector undertakings, banks, insurance companies etc,” Naqvi said.
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According to the minister, total 158 coaching institutions across the country were empanelled for implementation of the scheme during Financial Years 2013-14 to 2016-17.
“Under the scheme, a “New Component” of two years residential coaching programme was introduced on pilot basis in 10 states for students of minority communities of Class XI and XII with science subjects for preparation of Medical/Engineering entrance examinations,” Naqvi said.
The minister said that the scheme has now been revised from last year, having provisions for implementation of the ‘New Component’ on Pan India basis for benefit of the minority students.
“Also one-year residential coaching programme for the same purpose has been added in the scheme for the students who have passed Class XII with science subjects to facilitate their preparation for qualifying examinations for admission in technical/professional courses. Apart from this, residential coaching programme for composite preparation exclusively for civil services aspirants has also been added in the scheme, Naqvi added.
He also informed that free residential facilities are provided to the beneficiaries through selected coaching institutions/organisations and for other coaching programmes which are nonresidential.
“A stipend amount of INR 2500 per month will also be provided to students selected for coaching under the scheme,” he added.
