The government has allotted a substantial amount of funds to pay the entire tuition fee and scholarships for students belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Backward Classes, Economically Backward Classes. minorities and physically challenged students, this year. Students whose annual family income is less than Rs 1 lakh can claim these benefits.
The schemes are applicable to both freshers as well as senior students who are pursuing various higher and professional education courses. The government has sanctioned Rs 1,032 crore for BCs, Rs 300 crore for EBCs, Rs 536 crore for SCs, Rs 193 crore for STs, Rs 210 cr for minorities and Rs 7 crore for physically challenged students, towards total fee reimbursement and scholarships.
The move is expected to benefit nearly 80 per cent of the total number of students who opt for professional courses. Further, the Budget allocation for higher education and school education departments went up to Rs 2,830 crore and Rs 9,824 crore respectively.
“The allocations for new universities were raised from Rs 1.5 crore last year to Rs 4 crore this year. The funds were also allotted to implement the revised scales for teachers by the University Grants Commission,” said the chairman, of the Andhra Pradesh State Council for Higher Education, Prof. K.C. Reddy.
The government has announced the setting up of eight new study circles for BCs to provide coaching to BC students who are appearing for competitive exams such as UPSC, APPSC, police and banking recruitment. These students will be provided free accommodation and mess facilities.
However, the Budget came as a disappointment for the school education department.
Though it was raised to Rs 9,824 crore from Rs 8,500 crore, nearly Rs 7,000 crore will be utilised for payment of salaries of teachers and other employees leaving the department with meagre funds to take up development activities.
Grant of Rs 250 crore for a mid-day meal scheme for Class IX, X students was ignored.
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