Chandigarh: The National Scheduled Castes Alliance has directed a formal appeal to the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, highlighting the pressing need to revise the income limit from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh for parents of Scheduled Caste (SC) students participating in post-matric scholarship programs and other crucial welfare schemes.
President of National Scheduled Castes Alliance Paramjit Singh Kainth emphasized this critical requirement in a comprehensive letter addressed to the Prime Minister, citing the alarming lack of revision in income ceilings for SC families since the fiscal year 2013-14 across various government schemes, notably the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme. The static nature of the annual income cap for parents of SC students has emerged as a significant concern.
Despite the customary review, scheduled every five years by a committee within the Finance Department of the Government of India, aimed at adjusting income thresholds for government schemes, the substantial issues affecting the lives and educational opportunities of Scheduled Caste students have remained unattended for nearly a decade. This has led to widespread disappointment among thousands of aspirational students pursuing higher education prospects, particularly those reliant on the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme.
The National Scheduled Castes Alliance has earnestly implored the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to take decisive measures to address this critical concern and redress the long-standing issues that have been persistently overlooked. The appeal underscores the necessity to raise the income limit from the existing Rs 2,50,000 (two lakh fifty thousand) to Rs 8,00,000 (eight lakh) annually, aligning with the prevailing economic realities faced by underprivileged SC families.
Kainth expressed disappointment over the fixation of income limits tailored for the benefit of eight lakh government schemes catering to backward classes and economically weaker sections, emphasizing the disheartening disparities persisting concerning Scheduled Castes. He said, “the current socio-economic landscape demands an urgent revaluation of income eligibility criteria to ensure inclusivity and equal access to educational opportunities for all marginalized communities. The disparity between the income thresholds for various backward classes and the stagnation in revisions specifically for Scheduled Castes underline a systemic issue that requires immediate attention. The absence of a proportional adjustment to accommodate the economic realities faced by SC families significantly hampers their aspirations for quality education. Addressing this disparity in income limits aligns with the constitutional commitment to promoting equality and fostering an environment conducive to the holistic development of every individual, regardless of socio-economic background.”
In this poignant appeal, Kainth stressed the imperative of acknowledging and addressing the concerns of the Scheduled Castes, considering it a matter of profound significance. He urged the introduction of an income ceiling resolution in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, advocating for an inclusive discussion encompassing pivotal schemes such as the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, aimed at addressing the specific needs of the Scheduled Caste community. Urgent action on these critical issues is essential to facilitate the welfare of lakhs of students in the upcoming fiscal year.
Commending Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s attention towards the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Mr. Kanth lauded the potential transformative impact on the aspirations and future prospects of numerous deserving students within the Scheduled Caste community. The leadership exhibited in this regard holds the potential to significantly enhance the educational and socio-economic landscape for these marginalized sections of society. Anticipating your thoughtful consideration and immediate action on this pressing matter, Mr. Kainth indicated plans to engage with Union Ministers and Members of Parliament before the commencement of the winter session, scheduled to commence on December 4, to actively resolve this critical issue affecting the future of millions of Scheduled Caste students.
