Pune: The Minorities Development Department of the State government has increased the upper limit of income scale from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh for scholarships given to college students from minority communities. This was done so that more number of students can avail the scheme. 

The scholarship scheme is applicable to all students who pursue higher education in vocational courses and other courses after Std XII from Muslim, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi, Catholic and Jew communities.
Earlier, the upper limit of annual income for a family from minority community was only Rs 2.5 lakh. Later, it was increased up to Rs 6 lakh. However, for past several months, the State government had been mulling upon the proposal to further increase the upper limit. It has now increased up to Rs 8 lakh. This scheme will benefit the students, stated officials from the State government.

“To provide scholarship to a large number of students from minority community, the government has taken this step. Moreover, it will help these students who were unable to seek advantages of other scholarship schemes provided by the State. Actions will be soon taken,” said Mohan Khatal, Joint Director of Directorate of Higher Education, Pune.

“The scholarships offered by government has benefited many students and enabled them to pursue higher education. With the increase in upper limit of income, more students will benefit from this scheme,” said Aabid Shamshi, student of Masters of Commerce.