Scholarship scheme: Proposed 60:40 funding ratio unacceptable, says Pb CM

The Punjab government Monday rejected the Centre's proposed 60:40 fund-sharing pattern for the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme for SC students, saying it is a "mockery" of the BJP government's commitment to uplift the SC/ST sections of society.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh demanded restoration of the old scheme, under which states had to contribute about 10 per cent.

Till financial year 2018-19, the states were contributing a little over 10 per cent of the total scheme amount of Rs 600 crore, he said.

However, the Centre had subsequently absolved itself of its share to put the entire fiscal burden on the states, raising their annual committed liability from Rs 60 crore to Rs 750 crore, Singh said in a statement here.

Against approximately Rs 75 crore, which the state would have been required to pay under the old sharing formula, it would now have to shell out around Rs 300 crore as it share of the scheme, he said, adding that the resultant burden on states was huge.

Under pressure ...