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The Centre has cleared a proposal to set up model colleges in 374 educationally backward districts in the country. The scheme has been cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). Initially, around 90 colleges will be set up in minority-concentrated districts
In a bid to aid students in educationally backward districts, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, on January 21, approved the setting up of model colleges in 374 districts where the gross enrolment ratio (GER) for higher education is less than the national GER. The cost of setting up the colleges has been estimated at Rs 2,992 crore; the Centre will bear Rs 1,079 crore of this. The government envisions close to 1.87 lakh students enrolling in the 374 colleges. The scheme will cost the government around Rs 600 crore initially, with a target of 90 colleges, and assistance limited to one-third of the capital cost subject to a limit of Rs 2.67 crore per college in the selected district, will be provided through the University Grants Commission (UGC). For special category states, the Centre will share 50% of the capital cost but with an upper limit of Rs 4 crore for each college. State governments will provide land free of cost as well as the rest of the establishment costs. The recurring cost of running the college will be borne by the state governments concerned. With 374 districts in the country saddled with a GER below the national average of 12.4%, the human resource development ministry has been working on a proposal with the UGC to enhance access to degree courses in educationally backward districts of the country. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his Independence Day speech in 2007, said: “We will ensure adequate numbers of colleges are set up across the country, especially in districts where enrolment levels are low.” The Eleventh Five-Year Plan document, as approved by the National Development Council, envisages, among other things, that 370 new degree colleges will be established in districts with a low gross enrolment ratio, based on careful selection. Source: The Hindu, January 22, 2010
ANI, January 21, 2010
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