The Catholic Secular Forum (CSF), the activist community NGO, welcomes the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of pre-matric scholarship for students belonging to the minority communities through the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The funds to the tune of Rs.1868.50 crore during the XI Five Year Plan (2007-2012) have been approved for the scheme. Out of this, an amount of Rs.1408.40 crore will be borne by Centre whereas Rs.460.10 crore will be shared by the States. Union Territories would be provided 100 per cent Central assistance.

According to the CSF general secretary, Mr. Joseph Dias, it is now necessary for the various minorities to create awareness about the scheme within their communities, so that maximum deserving candidates could benefit. The scholarships will be awarded to students from the minority communities for studies in government or private schools from class I to class X, including residential Government institutes, and eligible private institutes selected and notified in a transparent manner by the State Governments/UTs concerned. Further, 30% of the scholarships are earmarked for girl students of each minority community in a State/Union Territory and will be transferable to boy students only if eligible girl students are not available.

Mr. Joseph Dias, said that, if each minority group took the initiative, begining from the clergy of that respective faith, the 25 lakh scholarships will go a long way towards recognising meritorious students, empowering them and bringing them into the national mainstream. "As of today, most minorities, the Christians included are on the periphery, largely due to lack of incentives for their education. Subsequently, minorities are no where found, when it comes to national services, employment or even small business. The girl child, continues to remain a grossly neglected segment and such a scheme will go a long way, in elevating the status of the minorities", he added. The maximum ceiling of tuition fee entitlement would be Rs.350 per month, subject to actuals. The rates of maintenance allowance would be Rs.600 per month for hostellers from class VI onwards, subject to actuals and Rs.100 per month for day-scholars from class I onwards. Admission fee from class VI onwards would be Rs.500 per annum subject to actuals.

The CSF thanks Mr. A R Antulay, Union Minorities Affairs Minister and the Union Finance Minister, Mr. P Chidambaram for the initiative and the community NGO will do much to popularise the scheme, since its success will largely depend on its proper implementation.