Kerala seeks higher tribal scholarship income ceiling from Centre

The Story in Brief

The Kerala government has asked the Centre to raise the family income limit for tribal students seeking post-matric scholarships from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh or Rs 5 lakh. The Hindu reports that Welfare Minister K.A. Thulasi made the request in a memorandum to Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, citing rising living costs.

Kerala also sought monthly payments for hostel fees and PhD contingency funds, linked to attendance. It proposed sending institutional fees directly to colleges and maintenance allowances to students. The State requested earlier release of the Centre’s first instalment, more flexibility for remote infrastructure projects, higher funding for Eklavya schools and a Centrally sponsored scheme supporting inter-caste marriages involving Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries.

The Indian Opinion

The easy argument is that a higher income ceiling alone will fix tribal students’ access to higher education. It will not, if payments remain late or fee transfers leave colleges and students disputing responsibility. Kerala’s proposal to separate institutional payments from maintenance support addresses that practical problem. The Centre should publish the cost of each change and track payment delays before widening eligibility. Will the revised system reach students before the first semester ends?

Source: thehindu.com

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