Regulations governing the centrally sponsored scheme of pre-metric scholarships to the children of those engaged in 'unclean' occupations i.e. Scavenging, tanning and flaying applicable with effect from 1-7-2011.
Object
The object of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to children whose parents/guardian belongs to one of the following categories, to pursue Pre-matric education:
- Persons who are either presently engaged in manual scavenging or were so engaged upto or after 1.1.97 or the date on which the "The Employment of manual scavengers and construction of Dry latrines (Prohibition) Act 1993" came into force in their State/UT, whichever is earlier;
- Tanners; and
- Flayers.
Note 1: "Manual scavenging" in this Scheme will mean as defined in Sec. 2 (j) of the "The Employment of manual scavengers and construction of Dry latrines (Prohibition) Act 1993". Note 2: "Presently engaged in manual scavenging" would include those who may be cleaning human excreta, on a regular basis, either from dry latrines or drains, sewers, septic tanks, manholes etc.
Conditions of Eligibility
- Scholarship will be admissible to the children/wards of Indian Nationals who, irrespective of their religion are:
a. either presently engaged in manual scavenging or were so engaged up to or after 1.1.97 or the date on which the "The Employment of manual scavengers and construction of Dry latrines (Prohibition) Act 1993" came into force in their State/UT, whichever is earlier;
b. presently engaged in Tanning and/or Flaying. - Children who are born to parents who are not engaged in such occupations, but have been adopted by such person (as mentioned in sub para 2(i) above) will be eligible for scholarship only after a lapse of three years from the date of such adoption provided that they have been living with the adopted parents since the date of such adoption. Such children will be eligible only if their parents furnish such certificates (such as of proof of their occupation, date of adoption etc.) as may be required by the concerned State Government/Union Territory administration.
- A certificate should be obtained from the eligible candidates as follows:
a. From Children/wards mentioned in sub- para 2(i)(a): only once, at the time of their first application/renewal, as the case may be, of Pre-matric Scholarship, after the coming into force of this revision (of 2011), to the effect that at least one parent belongs to the relevant categories;
b. From Children/wards mentioned in sub- para 2(i)(b): every year, to the effect that at least one parent is currently engaged in tanning and/or flaying.
Duration and Course of Studies
The scholarships may be given to students enrolled in class I or any subsequent class or pre-matric stage in the case of day scholars, and class III or any subsequent class of pre-matric stage in case of hostellers. The scholarship will terminate at the end of class X. The duration of scholarship in an academic year is ten months.
Institution of Study
The scholarship will be tenable only in such institutions and for such pre matriculations courses, which have been duly recognized by the concerned State Government and Union Territory Administrations.
Definition of Hostel
Normally, the term 'Hostel' means a common residential building having a common mess for students. However, a residence run by R.K. Mission or and such other reputable organization approved by the Government of India may also be deemed as a Hostel.
Coverage, Value of Scholarship and Ad-Hoc Grant
I. Hostellers
The students as hostellers will be covered from class III to X. The rates of scholarships are as under:- Class III to X - Rs.700/- per month for 10 months II. Day Scholars
The students as day scholars will be covered from Class I to Class X. The rates of scholarships are as under:- Class I to X - Rs.110/- per month for 10 months III. Ad-Hoc Grant
An adhoc grant of Rs.750/- per student per annum to all day scholars and Rs. 1000/- per student per annum to hostellers would be admissible. IV. Additional Provisions for Students amongst Target Groups with Disabilities
- Reader Allowance of Rs.100 per month for blind students in classes IX and X.
- Transport allowance of Rs.50 per month for the disabled students not residing in the hostel located within the premises of educational institution.
- Special pay of Rs.100 per month would be admissible to any employee of the hostel willing to extend help to a severely orthopedically handicapped student residing in a hostel managed by the educational institution or by the State Government/Union Territory Administration who may need the assistance of a helper.
- Escort allowance of Rs.50 per month for severely handicapped day scholars students with lower extremity disability.
- Allowance of Rs.100 per month towards extra coaching to mentally retarded and mentally ill students in classes IX and X.
The provisions proposed in (b) to (d) above also apply to leprosy cured students. Note 1: The students amongst target groups with disabilities covered under this scheme can, however, also get such additional benefits from other schemes, which are not covered in the above provision. Note 2: The disability as per the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities), Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act, 1955 is defined as blindness, low-vision, leprosy-cured, hearing impairment, locomotors disability, mental retardation and mental illness, which has to be certified by competent medical authority of the State Government/Union Territory Administration. V. The scholarship amount will be payable from the date of joining to the date of leaving the school, excluding the period of vacation, which will be about 10 months in a year except in the cases where the students enters or leaves early in the midst of academic year.
Administrative Authority
The scheme will be implemented and administered by the concerned State Governments/Union Territory Administrations in accordance with its regulations in force.
Selection
The concerned State Governments and Union Territory Administrations will lay down the detailed procedure for selection of students.
Authority Responsible for Providing Hostel Accommodation
The concerned State Government and Union Territory Administration will be responsible to provide hostel accommodation to the hostellers. The scheme covers provision for renting of building for such hostellers near the school if hostel facilities are not available in the school itself - rent reasonability to be certified by competent authority of the State Government. Provisions is also there for appointment of full time paid hostel warden where the number of students are large, otherwise one of school teachers is to be appointed as hostel warden on an honorarium as extra remuneration for doing the work of hostel warden.
Other Conditions for Award
- The students may not be allowed to take up employment or render help to parents in their work during the course of studies.
- The award will be discontinued if a student fails to secure annual promotion except in case of unavoidable reasons to be certified by the competent authority of the scheme.
- Coaching facilities, especially to weak students may be provided.
- If a student violates school discipline or any other terms and conditions of the scholarship, scholarship may be suspended or even cancelled, subject to the satisfaction of the competent school authority. The State Government/Union Territory Administrations can also directly cancel the award if duly satisfied of the reasons of violation of these regulations governing the Scheme.
- Migration of students from one institution to another would not normally be allowed during the course of the academic year except under exceptional circumstances and in the interest of student's academic career.
- The scholar obtaining benefits under this scheme is not allowed to avail of benefits under any other pre-matric scholarship scheme.
- The students should be regular in attendance for which the yardstick is to be decided by the competent authority of the school.
Renewal of Scholarship
The scholarship, once awarded, may be renewed during next academic year also by the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration unless the competent authority of the school recommends to the State Government/Union Territory Administration, to discontinue the award with reference to relevant clause of these regulations governing the scheme.
Announcement of Scheme
The scheme will be announced by the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration well in time, by giving advertisements in the leading language newspapers local dailies and by using other suitable publicity media.
Mode of Applying
The concerned Department of the State Government/Union Territory Administration will supply the application forms, which should be received back by that Department along with prescribed certificate, by the last date.
Pattern of Financial Assistance
The Scheme is implemented by the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, which receive 100% central assistance from Government of India for the total expenditure under the scheme, over and above their respective Committed Liability. The level of Committed Liability of respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for a year is equivalent to the level of actual expenditure incurred by them under the Scheme during the terminal year of the last Five Year Plan Period and is required to be borne by them for which they are required to make required provision in their own budget. All the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations implementing the Scheme will furnish data of beneficiaries and expenditure under the Scheme, to Government of India, as and when required. Financial assistance given under the Scheme shall not be utilized for any other purpose.
Changes in the Scheme
These regulations governing the scheme may be changed by the Government of India at any time as and when considered necessary.