Scholarship to minorities: Hearing over, verdict on Feb 15

The hearing on the issue of a central scheme providing pre-matriculation scholarships to students belonging to religious minorities concluded in the High Court Thursday. Two Muslim organisations argued that the stand of the state government of not implementing the scheme was illogical and unjustifiable.

The matter was heard by a five-member bench. The court will pronounce the judgment on February 15.

The case relates to a central scheme launched in 2008 for pre-matriculation students belonging to religious minorities, including Muslims whose parents have annual income below Rs 1 lakh.

The hearing on a group of PILs concluded after the Islamic Relief Committee and Students Islamic Organisation appeared before the bench and criticised the government's stand. They said that on one hand the government spends crores on events like "Vibrant Gujarat summits", but on the other hand, they protest to spend Rs 4 crore annually on minorities.

9 held with stolen utensils worth Rs 1.45 lakh

The Detection of Crime Branch Thursday busted an inter-state gang of thieves who allegedly used to steal utensils while working as labourers at wedding functions. Police arrested nine persons belonging to Dungarpur in Rajasthan. The gang was busted when they were transporting utensils worth Rs 1.45 lakh in a mini truck and a Chevrolet Tavera, police said, adding that the truck and MUV were also stolen. JCP (Crime) A K Sharma said, "The gang used to work as migrants labourers and would steal metals and scraps during nights. The utensils were then sold in local scrap markets and the amount was distributed among the gang members."

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