The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday accorded approval for implementation of the Chief Minister Scholarship Scheme in Higher Education for government colleges in the state. The scheme would help the bright poor students particularly of general category besides helping to further improve the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in the Higher Education which is very at low at present. The scheme would involve annual financial implication of Rs. 36.05 crore. Divulging the salient features of the scheme, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said the scheme shall be applicable only to the students studying in government colleges, scholarship amount shall be equal and limited to the concession in terms of percentage in fee being charged by the Universities. Students obtaining marks more than 60% but less than 70% will be given concession in University fee equivalent to 70%.
Likewise, students obtaining marks more than 70% but less than 80% will be given concession @ 80%. Students obtaining marks more than 80% but less than 90% will be given concession @ 90% and students obtaining marks more than 90% but less than 100% will be given concession @ 100%. The scholarship shall be given to the students only if they are not paid any other scholarships. Further in case a student is getting scholarship from any other scheme of the State Government or Central Government, and concession available under the present scheme are more than the benefits under that scheme of State or Central Government, then only the difference shall be payable to such student.This concept shall be payable only if a student clears the examination in all subjects. In case a student has not passed in any subject despite the fact that he or she may have obtained marks which made him/her eligible to obtain the scholarship otherwise, he/she shall not be considered for scholarship under the scheme. Scholarship scheme shall be applicable to the students studying in the Under Graduate as well as the Post Graduate Courses, added the spokesperson.