By IANS,
New Delhi : The government Thursday approved a Rs.1.200 crore scholarships scheme for students in the job-starved Jammu and Kashmir to pursue higher studies outside the state.
The plan was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs that met here with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in chair.
“The total cost of the scheme will be Rs.1,200 crore of which Rs.88 crore will be incurred in the current financial year,” an official spokesperson said.
According to the plan, 5,000 fresh scholarships would be provided every year over the next five years.
“Of these 4,500 scholarships will be for general degree courses, 250 for engineering and 250 for medical studies,” the spokesperson said.
Every scholar will get up to Rs.30,000 per year for tuition fees for general degree courses, up to Rs.1.25 lakh for engineering course and up to Rs.3 lakh for medical studies.
In addition to these, hostel fees and incidentals will also be given for all categories of courses up to a ceiling of Rs. 1 lakh per annum.
Students who pass the Class 12 or equivalent exam from the Jammu and Kashmir board and pursue general degree courses like engineering, medical studies and other professional courses in government colleges and other reputed institutes, located outside the state would be eligible for scholarship under this scheme.
“The income ceiling will be Rs.4.5 lakh per year,” said the spokesperson.