She has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to release Rs 1,549.76 crore.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa
CHENNAI: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to release Rs 1,549.76 crore under the Centrally-sponsored scheme of post matric scholarship for SC/ST students pursuing higher studies in recognised institutions. In a letter to Modi on Thursday, Jayalalithaa has sought the immediate intervention of Modi to release Central Government share towards the disbursement of scholarship to SC/ST students in Tamil Nadu, which now totals Rs 1549.76 crores for the period up to 2015-16. Jayalalithaa said the state government had been implementing the centrally sponsored scheme of post matric scholarship for students belonging to scheduled castes/ scheduled tribes.
Under this scheme, 100 per cent Central assistance had been provided to all states/Union territories beyond the committed liability. In 2015-16, Tamil Nadu had to incur a total expenditure of Rs 1,295.55 crores towards the scholarship. Of this Rs 942 crore was Centre’s share. Already, arrears of Rs 1,175.10 crore had been pending up to 2014-15. During 2015-16, central government had released only Rs 567.34 crore, leaving a total balance of Rs 1,549.76 crore.
"I have been informed that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has admitted the claims of Tamil Nadu under the post matric scholarship scheme”, she said. However, the ministry was unable to release the funds to the state due to insufficient budgetary allocations. She said that timely release of scholarships was essential to keep the students, most of whom were from very poor families, adequately motivated to pursue their studies and move forward in life through education. Given the importance and sensitivity of the scheme, Jayalalithaa has requested Modi to instruct the Union ministry of finance to provide adequate funds to the ministry of social justice and empowerment to release the entire pending central share of Rs 1,549.76 crore due to the state.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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