Parliament Panel Criticises Delay in Minority Scholarship Approvals

Parliament panel slams Minority Affairs Ministry over delays in key scholarships.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment has sharply criticised the Ministry of Minority Affairs for prolonged delays in approving crucial scholarship schemes for minority students.

In its Eleventh Report on action taken over the ministry’s 2024-25 demands for grants—tabled in Parliament on Monday—the panel highlighted that the Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means scholarships have been in abeyance since 2022-23. The delay, according to the ministry, stems from efforts to “harmonise” these schemes with similar initiatives run by other ministries.

The committee expressed concern that the continued suspension of these scholarships is impacting thousands of eligible minority students who depend on financial assistance to pursue their education. It urged the ministry to expedite the harmonisation process and ensure early approval of the schemes to avoid further disruption in the academic journeys of beneficiaries.

By holding back these scholarships, the panel noted, the ministry risks undermining its own mandate to promote educational empowerment among minority communities. The committee has recommended clear timelines and accountability measures to prevent such delays in the future.