Chennai, Dec 10 (Reporter) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase the annual family income ceiling for Post-Matric and Pre-Matric scholarships for SC, ST, and OBC students from Rs.2.5 lakhs to Rs.8 lakhs on par with EWS. He said increasing the annual income ceiling for Post-Matric and Pre-Matric from Rs.2.5 lakhs to Rs.8 lakhs on par with that of the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) is not only essential but also fully justified and warranted. In a Demi-Official letter to Mr Modi, he drew his attention to the urgent need to enhance the annual family income limit set for the grant of Post-Matric and Pre-Matric Scholarships for SC, ST and OBC students by the Union Government. At present, the income ceiling for eligibility for the scholarship for SC/ST/OBC students is fixed at Rs.2.5 lakhs. It is pertinent to mention that the Union Government have revised the income ceiling for the EWS to Rs.8 lakhs and has also raised the income ceiling for schemes such as National Overseas Scholarship and Top-Class Education Scheme to Rs.8 Lakhs for SC/ST students. The refixing of income ceiling has benefitted many students from disadvantaged backgrounds, Mr Stalin noted. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) Report, the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe students and certain Backward Communities remains significantly lower than other students. Stating that there was a stark difference in the GER of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students, as compared to the general population, the Chief Minister said it was therefore imperative to facilitate their enrollment in larger numbers in higher education institutions. Providing Post and Pre-Matric Scholarships will go a long way in increasing their enrollment in higher education. "In our view, increasing the annual income ceiling for Post-Matric and Pre-Matric from Rs.2.5 lakhs to Rs.8 lakhs on par with that of the economically weaker sections is not only essential but also fully justified and warranted. "Therefore, I request your favourable intervention in this matter to consider and increase the annual family income ceiling for Post and Pre-Matric scholarships for SC / ST / OBC students from Rs.2.5 lakhs to Rs.8 lakhs at the earliest", Mr Stalin said...////...