15
Jan 2019
Flurry of announcements by the Fadnavis government to benefit the OBCs and Nomadic Castes
Flurry of announcements by the Fadnavis government to benefit the OBCs and Nomadic Castes
- Allocations of Rs. 300 crores to the Vasantrao Naik Vimukt Caste and Nomadic Tribes Economic Development Corporation and Rs. 250 crores to the Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation in the state.
- On the lines of the Annasaheb Patil Financial Backward Development Corporation, reimbursement of interests against individual and group loans was approved by the Maharashtra State Other Backward Classes Development Corporation and Vasantrao Naik Vijaybhaj Economic Development Corporation.
- The direct loan limit through the Maharashtra State Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation decided to be increased from Rs. 25 thousand to Rs. 1 lakh. In addition, provision was made for an interest-free loan to those who paid installments regularly. It was also decided to reduce the interest rate to 4% for overdue installments.
- Interest reimbursement against personal loans up to Rs 10 lakh, similar to a scheme with the Annasaheb Patil Financial Backward Development Corporation, was approved to effect through the Maharashtra State Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, Vasantrao Naik Vimukt Jati and Nomadic Tribes Economic Development Corporation.
- Interest reimbursement against group loans of 10 to 50 lakhs, available through the Annasaheb Patil Financial Backward Development Corporation, was approved to effect through the Maharashtra State Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation and Vasantrao Naik Vimukt Caste and Nomadic Tribes Economic Development Corporation.
- It was decided to provide a grant in aid of Rs 250 crore to the Maharashtra State Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation for the next three years for the implementation of various schemes. Rs 100 crore was sanctioned towards reimbursement of interest against loans; Rs 50 crore towards the interest reimbursement against individual loans up to Rs 10 lakh, and another Rs 50 crore towards the interest reimbursement against group loans up to Rs 50 lakh.
A special approval of Rs. 50 crore was announced towards skill development for backward class youths through Shamrao Peje Itar Magasvarg Arthik Vikas Mahamandal Limited and Rs. 100 crore for distribution of modern materials and goods to the Bara Balutedar community of OBCs to enhance the productivity of their traditional occupation.
Savitribai Phule Scholarship Scheme for OBC Girl students
The State Cabinet announced the Savitribai Phule Scholarship Scheme for OBC girls studying in government schools and other educational institutions in the state, from Class V to X. To reduce the school dropout rate of girls, this scheme was earlier implemented for girls belonging to SC, ST, Nomadic Tribes, and SBC studying in classes V to VII and for girls belonging to SC, Nomadic Tribes, and SBC in classes VIII to X. The scholarship amount of Rs 60 per month was announced for the eligible students of classes V to VII for ten months, and Rs. 100 per month for the students of classes VIII to X for ten months.
Honoring meritorious OBC students of class 10 and 12
The Vasantrao Naik Merit Awards was announced by the government to honor the meritorious OBC students who would come 1st in 10th and 12th board exams in the state. The award values of Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 51 thousand with mementos and certificates were decided for the students who came 1st in the state and those who came 1st in various board exams, respectively.
36 hostels for OBC students
The Cabinet approved the opening of 36 hostels for OBC students, 18 for boys and 18 for girls, at district locations. It was decided to provide free accommodation, food, educational materials and health facilities to 100 students from this hostel.
