In bid to end Patidar stir, Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel announces Rs 1,000 crore package for EWS

The scheme, to be implemented from this academic year itself, will cost the government Rs 1,000 crore per year and 60,000 to 70,000 students who clear Class XII will benefit from it in the first year.

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The primary and secondary education system has also been covered under the MYSY by way of extending the benefits available to the SC/ST/OBC students to all the categories. These include free school uniforms and books. The government has also tried to address the issue of employment by increasing the age limit for state government jobs in all categories by 5 years.

“Gujarat is becoming the first state in India to bring such a package for EWS students. The government has brought this scheme based on your suggestions. If there is anything else, you can come and talk to us,” the Chief Minister said while addressing leaders from various communities and castes who were called to the secretariat for the announcement. Leaders of Patidar groups including the Khodal Dham Trust, Maa Umiya Trust in Unjha and Sidsar were also present.

While some core members of PAAS, including Harikesh Patel and Pathik Patel, were at the secretariat, PAAS convener Hardik Patel denied the reports on social media.
The highlight of the package is the 100 per cent fee sponsorship for EWS students who, despite the merit, are forced to take admission to private institutes after failing to do so in government-run medical, dental and engineering colleges due to the reservation system. Apart from reserved seats, the SC/ST/OBC students can also take up general category seats on merit basis under the current system.

In other cases, the government will sponsor 50 per cent of private college fee or upto Rs 2 lakh for medical courses. For professional courses like pharmacy, homeopathy, nursing, physiotherapy etc, the MYSY offers 50 per cent of private college fee or upto Rs 50,000 per year for EWS students.

Similarly, for the students going for diploma engineering courses in private institutes will be eligible to get upto 50 per cent of fee or Rs 25,000 per year. For the three-year diploma courses, the students will get scholarship to the tune of Rs 75,000.

For the bachelor courses in any stream, the MYSY offers 50 per cent of private college fee or Rs 10,000. For those who migrate outside their taluka and have to stay in private hostels, they are eligible to Rs 1,200 per month for lodging and boarding.

On the lines of schemes available for SC/ST/OBC students, even the general category students will get a one-time grant to purchase equipment and other kits for higher education. Medical and dental students will be entitled a grant of Rs 10,000, engineering students Rs 5,000 and diploma students Rs 3,000.

The government also asked all the private institutes to keep the admission form fee as per the government norms.

All students in government and government-aided secondary schools will be given free text books and primary students will get free books and uniforms. All the students will also be entitled for various schemes so far available only to reserved categories.

The scheme also offers five per cent interest subsidy for three years under the Mudra Scheme to youth who want to set up their own businesses within five years of obtaining their degrees.

The state government also plans to increase the number seats for competitive examinations at the Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration from 340 to 1,000. Besides, it also plans to start similar training centres at district level.