Complaints regarding the higher rate of fees in Sainik Schools

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  DEFENCE

RAJYA SABHA

ANSWERED ON-12.02.2014

2222 . SHRI K.N. BALAGOPAL

ANSWER

MINISTER OF DEFENCE

(a) & (b): Yes Sir. Few representations regarding higher rate of fees in Sainik Schols have been received.

Sainik Schools are primarily self-sustaining institutions. The State Governments are responsible for the creation / maintenance of physical infrastructure and meeting a portion of the recurring expenditure. A major portion of the recurring expenditure is met by the fees payable by the parents. The amount of the fee varies from School to school and also depends on contributions from the State Government.

The State Governments award scholarships on merit-cum-means basis to the boys of their respective States. Parents are reimbursed to the extent of the amount of that scholarship. Where the scholarship provided by the State Government is more, the parents stands to gain more.

Keeping in view the cost of living in general and the representations received from the parents, the Central Government has recently taken the following steps to lessen the burden of fee on parents:-

(i) The rate of Defence Scholarship has been increased from Rs.10,500/- to 32,000/- per annum per cadet of NCOs & Ors. In addition rate of defence scholarship has been increased from Rs.5,250/- to Rs.16,000/- in respect of wards of JCOs.

(ii) The Central Government has increased the budgetary provisions of scheme of Sharing of burden of enhanced fee and dietary charges in Sainik Schools from Rs.10.54 crore to Rs.20.68 crore.

(iii) The Ministry of Defence provides 100% additionality of pay & allowances of the employees of Sainik Schools arising out of the implementation of the 6th Central Pay Commission.

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