Exclusive: Modi deprives poor Muslims of scholarship

MODI'S AGENDA: Narendra Modi says scheme targeting minorities won't help in India's development.

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New Delhi: More than 50,000 poor minority students in Gujarat have been reportedly denied central scholarship.

This report has once again put Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in a spot.

His is the only state government in the country which is not willing to bear 25 per cent share of the central-sponsored pre matric scholarship scheme for the minorities.

The Centre gives around Rs 22 lakh scholarships for poor Muslims students, of which more than Rs 57,000 is earmarked for Gujarat alone.

Every child whose parents earn less than Rs 1 lakh per annum is entitled to this scholarship and can get an amount between Rs 800 to Rs 1500.

Last year the Gujarat government wrote to the Centre that such schemes based on minority status of a community will not help in the country’s development.

This year again, despite of repeated reminders, the state government has not earmarked any money which means the minority students will remain deprived of their due.

“This is unconstitutional,” says Congress spokesperson, Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

This scholarship scheme is a part of Prime Minister’s 15 point programme for minorities and Gujarat is the only state opposing it.