Just like the Ladli Scheme for girl students, the Government of Delhi is planning to launch a similar scholarship scheme exclusively for boys from SC/ST/OBC and minority communities.
The scheme will provide financial assistance to boys on completion of their studies at state-run government schools. The proposal on the same has been sent for the Cabinet approval and it will be implemented thereafter.
“We feel the boys in these sections of the society also need the financial backing for further studies. We are planning to execute a scheme on the lines of Ladli Scheme for boys,” AK Srivastav, Joint Director SC/ST/OBC Department, was quoted as saying by a news agency.
Meanwhile, the SC/ST/OBC Department is currently dealing with roughly around 6,000 pending claims from 2015 under various subsidies that the Delhi government provides to students.
At present, there are around 13 lakh student beneficiaries under the welfare net of the Delhi government from the SC/ST and OBC category.
“The pendency is from 2015 — when the process for applying was offline. The offline process is lengthy and needs a lot of paper work. To address the issue, two years ago, we switched to the online system which is working fine, ” Srivastav added.
Funds for the new scheme will be diverted from the stationery funds provided to the SC/ST/OBC and minorities students. INR 1000 is given to the students up to Class VII and INR 2000 for Class 1X to XII yearly to purchase stationery things.
“Stationery fees for the students are provided by many such as Directorate of education, school and other schemes which provide financial assistance to the students to buy stationery materials. So, if we save one part amount for the boys, it will be helpful in future for their higher studies,” Srivastava stated.
In another move to make more SC/ST and OBC students eligible for scholarship schemes, the Delhi Government is planning to raise the limit of annual family income to INR 3 lakh from INR 2 lakh.
“These days, even a Class-IV employee is earning INR 2.5 to 3 lakh per annum, so if the minimum limit is increased then there will be chances for all who come under the economically weaker section,” Srivastva said.
In all, seven schemes that come under the Department of SC/ST/OBC Welfare of the Delhi Government are open for students with nearly 3 lakh students are benefitting from these scholarships.
