06-19-2007, 09:46 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Creamy layer among SCs kept out of elite scholarship </b>
Rajeev Ranjan Roy | New Delhi
In what looks set to give a new dimension to the raging debate over quota, the Centre has debarred the 'creamy layer' among the Scheduled Castes from reaping the benefits of elite scholarship schemes to study in the institutes of academic excellence like IITs and IIMs.
The scholarship meant for 'top class education' will be given only those SC students, whose parents' earning does not exceed Rs 2 lakh per annum.
<b>"The ceiling of Rs 2 lakh intends to help out the needy. The benefits should go straight to the students whose parents cannot afford the cost of highly specialised education in institutions like IITs or any such private institution,"</b> Union Social Justice and Empowerment (S&JE) Minister Meira Kumar said.
The 'creamy layer' clause in scholarship holds significance in view of the recent observation of the Supreme Court to exclude the 'creamy layer' from enjoying the benefits of quota.
Although the Government did not see merit in the apex court's observation, the clamour for excluding the 'creamy lot' from the ambit of quota has started pouring in from different quarters. A section of Meenas, a ST community from Rajasthan, have even petitioned the office of the Prime Minister to this effect.
Initially to be given to 1,250 SC students, the Ministry has earmarked over Rs 40 crore to be disbursed during five years, starting from 2007-08. The students getting admission in the private institutions will get Rs 2 lakh per annum each, while those admitted in the private sector flying club for commercial pilot training would be entitled to Rs 3.72 lakh each annually.
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Rajeev Ranjan Roy | New Delhi
In what looks set to give a new dimension to the raging debate over quota, the Centre has debarred the 'creamy layer' among the Scheduled Castes from reaping the benefits of elite scholarship schemes to study in the institutes of academic excellence like IITs and IIMs.
The scholarship meant for 'top class education' will be given only those SC students, whose parents' earning does not exceed Rs 2 lakh per annum.
<b>"The ceiling of Rs 2 lakh intends to help out the needy. The benefits should go straight to the students whose parents cannot afford the cost of highly specialised education in institutions like IITs or any such private institution,"</b> Union Social Justice and Empowerment (S&JE) Minister Meira Kumar said.
The 'creamy layer' clause in scholarship holds significance in view of the recent observation of the Supreme Court to exclude the 'creamy layer' from enjoying the benefits of quota.
Although the Government did not see merit in the apex court's observation, the clamour for excluding the 'creamy lot' from the ambit of quota has started pouring in from different quarters. A section of Meenas, a ST community from Rajasthan, have even petitioned the office of the Prime Minister to this effect.
Initially to be given to 1,250 SC students, the Ministry has earmarked over Rs 40 crore to be disbursed during five years, starting from 2007-08. The students getting admission in the private institutions will get Rs 2 lakh per annum each, while those admitted in the private sector flying club for commercial pilot training would be entitled to Rs 3.72 lakh each annually.
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