AP releases Rs 42 cr for overseas education of meritorious students

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday released Rs 41.59 crore towards Videshi Vidya Deevena benefiting 390 students pursuing overseas education and Rs 1.50 crore towards Jagananna Civil Services Protsahakam (incentive) benefiting 106 civil service aspirants pursuing UPSC examinations, totalling Rs 42.60 crore.

The amount will be directly credited into the bank accounts of beneficiaries in full transparency. Releasing the amount virtually from his camp office at Tadepalli near here, he said the government has been implementing the scheme to prevent the parents of overseas education aspirants from falling into debt trap.

He said that the civil services incentive is being released for the first time but both these programmes have a unique quality of assuring the aspirants and their parents that the government will support them in fulfilling their dreams.

Reddy said the government is also reimbursing Rs 9.5 crore towards the fees for 51 students who got admission in the United States this spring. He said that the government has so far spent Rs 107 crore for 408 students who have been pursuing overseas education. The government has been extending financial help to all SC, ST, BC, minority and EBC students whose annual income doesn’t exceed Rs 8 lakh.

By implementing the scheme in saturation mode, the government hopes that the beneficiaries will be of immense help to others providing inspiration and to the State in future, he said, adding that they will also reach high positions in life and keep their families happy. Unlike the TDP government which dumped 3,326 students by not clearing arrears of Rs 318 crore for the year 2016-17, this government has been implementing the scheme with sincerity and in full transparency, said the Chief Minister.

Under the scheme, the government is committed to reimburse total fees up to Rs 1.25 crore each to SC, ST, BC and minority students and up to Rs 1 crore each to EBC students who pursue higher education in 21 diverse faculties in 350 educational institutions affiliated to 50 universities abroad listed in the QS World University and Times Higher Education rankings. With regard to the aspirants pursuing UPSC civil services, the government will pay an incentive of Rs 1 lakh each to SC, ST, BC, EBC and minority students after clearing the preliminary examination and Rs 50,000 after passing the main examination reimbursing the coaching and preparation expenses.