New Delhi, December 26
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved revamping of the centrally sponsored scheme of pre-matric scholarships to children. This is done with a view to encourage children to take up education and prevent them from joining professions of their parents that are at times unclean like scavenging, sweeping, tanning and
flaying.
Under the scheme, which comes under the social justice ministry, the monthly scholarships to day scholars from class one to 10 would be Rs 110, while hostellers would get Rs 700.
Besides, an annual ad hoc grant of Rs 750 for day scholars and Rs 1,000 for hostellers has been approved. Calling it a national shame, P Chidambaram said it is unfortunate that state governments give very low priority to such schemes, as a result of which such children slip into the same occupation of their parents, without getting the benefit of education.
A sum of Rs 54 crore has been earmarked for 2008-09 and the requirement of funds for the remaining four years of the 11th plan would be Rs 340 crore, he said.
