Registrations open for free coaching scheme to SC/ST students
NEW DELHI: The Welfare of SC/ST department of Delhi government on Monday started the application process for registration of loans and free coaching classes for students of the SC/ST background and other minority communities.
As directed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Social Welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam is monitoring the entire process. Officials of his department asserted that the government is trying to reach as many people from the backward communities as possible.
On Saturday, the Delhi government had launched the ‘Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojna’, a scheme that provides educational assistance of up to Rs 40,000 to students from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Castes and minority communities.
The scheme will also provide these students free coaching at established coaching institutions for entrance to medical and engineering courses, and competitive examinations such as Railway Recruitment Board, banking, insurance etc.
Initially, the assistance will be provided to 100 students and later extended to 5,000 students. Students whose annual family income is below Rs 2 lakh will get 100 per cent assistance, while those with annual income between Rs 2-6 lakh will get 75 per cent assistance.
The government will also provide students a monthly sti- pend of Rs 2,500, apart from the free coaching.
Talking about the application process, Gautam pointed out that such a scheme was needed as many intelligent students failed to make a mark in competitive examinations due to lack of proper coaching, which renowned institutes provided.
“Taking note of this, a proposal for this scheme was made. Once the (Delhi) Cabinet approves, an advertisement will be put out by the Department of SC/ST informing coaching centres about the scheme and the department will reach out to institutes and ask them to voluntarily register with the scheme,” Gautam said.
“A list of credible coaching centres will then be drawn. SC/ ST students will be asked to apply for the financial benefit, if they are planning to register with any of the coaching centres,” Gautam went on to explain.
If a student qualifies for the eligibility test of that coaching centre, he/she can apply for the financial support for the fee.