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Under the existing funding pattern, the expenditure incurred at the end of one Plan period is met by the states as their committed liability. The expenditure over and above this committed liability is met under the Plan head by the Centre. 3. 7 The scheme was revised in 2003. One, courses were regrouped and the existing maintenance allowance increased. Two, the income ceiling of parents of SC students was hiked. Three, the Book Bank for SC students scheme was merged into the scheme.
Fourth, charges pertaining to study tour, thesis typing/ printing charges were enhanced. 3. 8 About 2 million SC students were provided scholarships during 2002-03 and 2003-04 and an additional 200,000 students are likely to covered in 2004-05. During the first three years of the Tenth Plan, an amount of RSI. 681. 39 core (43. 7 per cent) has been released to states/Union Territories for the scheme. 3. 9 Most of the states find it difficult to meet the commitment of Nan-plan liability because of resource constraints.
This is a serious problem because not only ill the coverage of the scheme increase every year but the rates of scholarships are also likely to be increased periodically. The other dimension of the problem is that the states are not disbursing the stipend in time. A suitable mechanism needs to be put in place to ensure timely allocation of funds by the Centre to the states and disbursement of scholarships by the states each month from the beginning of the academic year. 3. 0 Various evaluation studies conducted by, among others, the Abashed Embarked National Institute of Social Sciences, Madhya Pradesh (2000), Data Institute of Social Sciences (1999), Centre for Research Action and Training (2000), have suggested that increase in the maintenance allowance be linked with the movement of the consumer price index for industrial workers; special incentives be given to the staff of educational institutes; the eligibility criterion of annual income of parents be raised; and rented rooms be provided to outstation students who do not get hostel facility etc.
As the scheme has been found to be making a significant impact on the educational attainment of CSS, the reports have recommended that this benefit should be extended to some there economically backward communities, including minority communities. There is a need to enhance the opportunities to SC & SST student to pursue higher studies especially M. Phil and Ph. D in view Of the changing economic and labor market scenario demanding higher qualifications for senior placements/jobs. To this effect, a national fellowship scheme for SC & SST students needs to be formulated and expeditiously personalized/ implemented.