PMC proposes to restrict scholarship scheme to urban poor students

However, the expenditure on the scholarship scheme has been increasing over the years and has gone beyond allocation in annual budgets. In 2014-15, the civic budgetary provision was Rs 6.6 crore but the actual expenditure has now been estimated at Rs 20.2 crore due to the increase in number of beneficiaries. The PMC had to shell out Rs 4.79 crore in 2008-09 which increased to Rs 14.3 crore in 2012-13.

This year, as many as 8,466 Class X students and 2,300 Class XII students are eligible for scholarships.

“The revenue of the civic body is not increasing in proportion to its expenditure. Thus, it is high time to check the expenditure to ensure that sufficient amount of funds are available for development work or else it will be difficult in future,” a civic officer said.

He added, “A proposal has been drafted to limit expenditure by restricting scholarships only to students of urban poor families having annual income less than Rs 1 lakh. Only students belonging to below poverty line (BPL) should get the benefit of the scheme.”

He said the administration has also recommended the eligibility criteria for scholarship be changed to 85 per cent marks in Class X and XII as against the existing 80 per cent. “This would ensure that 4,000 Class X students and 1,000 Class XII students benefit from the scheme with expenditure being restricted to Rs 8.5 crore,” said civic officer, adding the proposal would come up for discussion in the standing committee meeting.

The proposal will be implemented after it is approved by the standing committee and the general body.