

BAREILLY: Meritorious students belonging to the minority section of society who are looking forward to study abroad can now avail of an education loan under a central government scheme , ‘Padho Pardesh’ (study abroad), wherein interest subsidy will be given. Students belonging to economically weaker section of notified minority communities —Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis — can avail of the scheme.

Another scheme, ‘Nai Udaan’, targeting minority students who have cleared their preliminary exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission and others has also been introduced. Under the scheme, a sum of Rs 50,000 will be given to them.

According to sources, the Centre had announced the ‘Padho Pardesh’ scheme for economically weaker section of notified minor communities. Under the scheme, interest payable by the eligible student during the period of moratorium will be borne by the central government. Those students who have secured admission in approved courses at Masters, M.Phil or Ph.D levels abroad are eligible under the scheme.

An unemployed candidate whose parents’ total annual income (from all sources) does not exceed Rs 6 lakh would be covered under the ‘Padho Pradesh’ scheme.

Some of the prominent courses covered under the ‘Padho Pardesh’ scheme include bio-technology/genetic engineering, engineering, nano technology, cryogenic engineering, Arts, humanities, social sciences, commerce, industrial environmental engineering, optometry and mechatronics.

Talking to TOI, Jagmohan Singh, deputy director, minority welfare education, Bareilly , said, “Both schemes are aimed at promoting education level among minority sections of society. The objective of the scheme is to award interest subsidy to meritorious students belonging to economically weaker section of the notified minority communities so as to promote and provide better opportunities for higher education aboard and enhance their employability too.

“Interest subsidy will be available to eligible students only once either for masters or Ph.D. levels. However interest subsidies will not be available to those students who discontinue the course mid stream. Moreover, if the student violates any conditions of the scheme, the subsidy will be discontinued forthwith. Only one child in the family can avail the benefits of the scheme.”

Sanjeev Malhotra, general secretary, Bareilly Bankers Association, told TOI,“The schemes are really good and will definitely bring more meritorious students interested in studying abroad forward. So far, several people opt out of education loan due to moratorium period (the course period, plus one year or six months after getting a job, whichever is earlier) as prescribed under the education loan scheme of the Indian Banker’s Association (IBA). Under the ‘Padho Pradesh’ scheme, the Centre would bear the interest cost, bringing relief to both students and their parents.”

Another scheme, ‘Nai Udaan’, aims at promoting education among minority sections of society. Under the scheme, financial aid will be provided to minority candidates clearing prelims conducted by the Union Public Service Commission ( UPSC ), Staff Service Commission ( SSC ) and other state public service commissions (SPSC) to adequately equip them to compete for appointment to civil services in both Union and state governments.

Singh clarified, “A maximum 800 candidates will be given financial support under the scheme across India after they fulfill the eligibility criteria. The selection will be based on merit.”

Under the scheme, financial assistance of maximum Rs 50,000 would be granted for gazetted post while Rs 25,000 for non gazetted post only as a support to minority candidates. However, the financial benefit would be given to only one candidate for one examination only. Cent per cent financial support would be provided to selected candidates through a nationalized bank under the Central Sector Scheme (CSS).

