Synopsis
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini declared that from the current academic session, all Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Class students pursuing medical and engineering courses in government colleges will receive full scholarships. A dedicated portal will facilitate this initiative, promoting educational equity.Key Takeaways
- Full scholarships for SC and OBC students in medical and engineering fields.
- A dedicated portal will be created for scholarship applications.
- Increased income limit for creamy layer in Backward Classes.
- Loans for education with low-interest rates for economically weaker families.
- Haryana government guarantees purchase of farmers' crops at MSP.
Gurugram, April 13 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini, announced on Sunday that starting from the current academic year, all students belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Class communities enrolled in medical and engineering programs at any government college in India will receive a full scholarship, with a dedicated portal being established for this initiative.
Chief Minister Saini made this announcement while serving as the chief guest at an event organized by the All India Saini Seva Samaj to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule in Gurugram.
In attendance were notable figures including Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Upendra Kushwaha, and Kalpana Saini.
While paying homage to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Chief Minister Saini remarked: "Mahatma Jyotiba Phule dedicated his life to raising awareness in a nation that was under the chains of oppression. He tirelessly worked to eliminate child marriage, advocate for widow remarriage, secure women's rights to education, abolish untouchability, and uplift society. He championed the cause of girls' education, widow remarriage, and the empowerment of Dalits during a period when such thoughts were revolutionary. His belief was that education is the key to upliftment for individuals and society as a whole."
Chief Minister Saini highlighted that Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, alongside his wife, Savitribai Phule, founded India's first girls' school in Pune.
"His wife was a remarkable social reformer and the first female teacher in India," CM Saini noted.
Savitribai Phule committed her life to advocating for women's education, empowerment, and rights, according to the Chief Minister.
He also commended the All India Saini Seva Samaj for hosting the National Awakening Maha Sammelan on the occasion of Mahatma Phule's birth anniversary.
CM Saini indicated that the principles of Mahatma Phule guide the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasizes the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas'.
"The Saini community has a rich and ancient history, deeply rooted in labor, sacrifice, and service. Their contributions to agriculture, horticulture, and public service are unparalleled. The pioneering social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule, the first female teacher of India, are jewels of the Saini community," he added.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the welfare and upliftment of the underprivileged is a steadfast commitment.
"Thus, our developmental agenda centers around empowering the impoverished. The focus on last-mile delivery has transformed the lives of these communities. This commitment to serve the marginalized represents true social justice," he stated.
He noted that the state government has raised the income threshold for the creamy layer in Backward Classes from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh annually and has allocated reservations for Backward Class-B in local governance structures.
"It is challenging for low-income families to manage the costs of their children's education. Therefore, we provide loans of up to Rs 15 lakh for domestic education and Rs 20 lakh for overseas studies at a 4% annual interest rate for children from Backward Class families with an annual income of up to Rs 3 lakh," he added.
He described the state government as farmer-friendly, highlighting that Haryana is the first state in India to guarantee the purchase of 100% of farmers' produce at the Minimum Support Price.
Under the 'Har-Ghar Grihini Yojana', the Haryana government is providing gas cylinders to 17 lakh underprivileged families each month for just Rs 500.
The Chief Minister urged the public to prioritize their children's education, stating that this is the best way to honor the legacy of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.
