New Delhi, December 18: The government today ruled out adopting austerity measures while allocating funds for coaching students belonging to SC, ST, women and minorities during the 11th Plan.
“Question of applying austerity measures in these schemes does not arise,” Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal told Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.
P Madhu (CPI-M) wanted to know the reason for the low allocation while pointing out that over Rs 20 crore was allocated during the 10th Plan period for coaching students belonging only to the minority communities.
During the 11th Plan, Rs 28 crore has been allocated for coaching students belonging to SC, ST, women and minorities.
Sibal said 32,535 students benefited from the scheme in 10th Plan for which Rs 20.65 crore was spent. But the scheme was merged during the 11th Plan under development grants to institutions.
–PTI