Minority report: Central plan on hold

The pre-matriculation scholarship scheme for minorities,initiated by the Ministry of Minority Affairs two years ago,has been implemented in 25 states and 6 UTs.

Of which,thirteen states and the Union Territory of Delhi have exceeded their 2009-10 targets. Meanwhile,four states including Gujarat have not issued a single scholarship under the scheme.

Gujarat had set a target of a collective 39,194 students from the Muslim,Christian,Sikh,Buddhist and Parsi communities for 2009-2010. The target was,in fact,increased to 57,486 following a judicial order.

“In Gujarat,the percentage of Muslim students going for higher education is as low as five per cent. The figures are hardly surprising if we consider pre-matriculate percentage,” said V K Tripathi,Physics professor at IIT Delhi.

Professor Tripathi and Professor Ashwin Karia,retired principal of Palanpur Law College,while addressing the media,said they had recently written to Chief Minister Narendra Modi regarding the issue.

They said they did not receive replies for a total six letters,including the last one,which was signed by over 1,800 people.

The duo said they also tried to meet the CM at his office in New Sachivalaya on November 9,2009,but were denied an appointment.

Professor Tripathi added that he would hold a ‘dharna’ in front of Parliament House next week and would also approach the judiciary.

Scheme at a glance

* Students,between Class I to V,are entitled to a comprehensive Rs 1,000 monetary scholarship per year,provided he or she has scored 50 per cent marks in the prior examination

* For students in Class VI to X,the scholarship increases: Rs 1,000 per year as maintenance,up to Rs 350 per month as tuition fees,and Rs 500 per year as admission fee