The State Cabinet on Tuesday cleared a proposal to grant scholarships to 10 economically backward students each from the open and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories higher studies in foreign universities.
Of these, seven will be doctorate students and three will be pursuing graduate or post-graduate degrees, State Education Minister Vinod Tawde said on Tuesday.
Political watchers said the government’s decision could be to quell possible disturbance within the OBC community. It has recently taken several decisions benefiting the Maratha community, following intense agitations across the State over the past two years. They said the government has been trying to find a balance between the Marathas and OBCs, with the latter being the BJP’s targeted vote bank in upcoming elections to the State Assembly and Lok Sabha.
The students selection committee, comprising secretaries from the departments of higher education, finance, industry and skill development, will take into account the Class X and Class XII board exam results of these students. As per criteria stipulated, the collective annual income of the student and his or her family shouldn’t be more than ₹20 lakh, and students will have to submit a non-creamy layer certificate. In addition, the student will have to specify how they will contribute to the State after completing their courses.
Mr. Tawde said, “The State government will extend a scholarship of $1,500 per month to each of the 20 selected students. This scheme will be implemented this year itself. Students will be selected to study in 200 universities across the world. The government has also decided to bear the course fees.”
