New Delhi, Dec 23 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved major and transformatory changes in the Centrally-sponsored scheme 'Post Matric

Scholarship to students belonging to the Scheduled Castes (PMS-SC).

The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The scheme will benefit more than four crore SC

students in the next five years in successfully completion of their higher education.

Addressing the mediapersons here, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot said

the Cabinet has approved a total investment of Rs 59,048 crore, of which the Central Government would

spend Rs 35,534 crore (60 per cent) and the balance would be spent by the state governments.

This replaces the existing 'committed liability' system and brings greater

involvement of the Central Government in this crucial scheme.

The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes allows students to pursue any post

matric course starting from class 11, with the Government meeting their cost of education, said Mr Gehlot.

The Central Government is committed to give a big push and further impetus to this effort, so that

the GER (Higher Education) of SCs would reach up to the National standards within the five-year period, he adde.

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