• News
  • India News
  • Govt removes education fee cap of Rs 10,000 per month for martyrs' children
This story is from March 22, 2018

Govt removes education fee cap of Rs 10,000 per month for martyrs' children

Govt removes education fee cap of Rs 10,000 per month for martyrs' children
File photo used for representation
Key Highlights
  • The finance ministry said the educational concession will continue without the cap of Rs 10,000 per month
  • It added the concession will be admissible only for those undertaking studies in government or government-aided schools and educational institutes
NEW DELHI: The government has revoked its last year’s decision to cap the educational expenses in the shape of tuition and hostel fees paid to children of martyrs and disabled soldiers to Rs 10,000 per month after widespread protests from the affected families as well as the armed forces.
The finance ministry, in a note issued on Wednesday, said the educational concession will continue without the cap of Rs 10,000 per month.
But it added the concession will be admissible only for those undertaking studies in government or government-aided schools and educational institutes or those “recognized” by the central or state governments. It will also be applicable to students studying in autonomous institutes financed by central or state governments.
The original scheme, under which a martyr’s child was provided full tuition and hostel fees without any cap till he or she acquired the first degree (like BA, BTech, MBBS, BCom etc), had come into force after the 1971 war. It was later extended to children of officers and soldiers killed or disabled in Operation Meghdoot (Siachen-Saltoro Ridge) and Operation Pawan (IPKF in Sri Lanka) as well as in counter-insurgency operations.
But the government in July last year had capped the combined amount of tuition and hostel charges to Rs 10,000 per month in accordance with the recommendation of the 7th Central Pay Commission. As per defence ministry’s figures, around 250 students were affected due to the decision during the current financial year, which had saved around Rs 3.20 crore.
The decision had led to widespread protests, with Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh (retd), minister of state for external affairs General V K Singh (retd), Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and others asking defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman to revise the decision and lift the cap.
“This small gesture would assure the families of our brave women and men that the nation cares for them and their sacrifices are truly appreciated by the government," said Admiral Lanba, who is also the chairman of the chiefs of staff committee, in his letter.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA