By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Maharashtra: In order to improve educational opportunities for minorities, the Central government in its first phase of merit-cum-means scholarship invited application by November 15, 2007. According to the results of the tests held for the scholarships, 1084 Muslims, 30 Christians, 11 Sikhs and 21 Buddhists students have been selected for scholarships.
Muslim students will get Rs. 2,71,49,500 for scholarships. Christian students will get Rs. 8,11,694, Sikh students will get Rs2,75,000 and Buddhist students will get Rs. 5,26,100. In all, the state will get the amount of Rs. 2,87,62,294.
This benefit will go to students of MBA, Medical, BE, MCA, B.Tech, B.Ed and MMS courses who are studying in different colleges and other educational institutions.
It is estimated that majority of students will get something between Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 and a minuscule minority will get less than this amount.
At the national level it was decided that 14858 Muslim students will be given merit-cum-means scholarships. This decision was taken in view of the ratio of Muslim population in every state. In Maharashtra, 1084 scholarships were reserved for Muslim students. The selected 1084 Muslim students are studying at graduate or post graduate levels. The amount of scholarships will be distributed to students or concerned institutions within one month.