(42) Central Grants for Backward Classes - Page 1070

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1051

Backward Classes other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is as under:—

1948-49 ... ... Rs. Nil.

1949-50 ... ... 2,46,327

1950-51 ... ... 3,57,504

In the year 1951-52, scholarships of the total value of Rs. 3,65,000 are likely to be awarded to Backward Classes candidates.

Shri Kshudiram Mahata: May I know whether any provincial allocations is made of the total sum before considering any particular application and, if so, on what basis ?

Dr. Ambedkar: I do not suppose that there is any provincial allocation.

Shri Rudrappa: May I know the number of applications in 1949-50 and 1950-51 ?

Dr. Ambedkar: The figures are as follows :—

1949-50.—Applications received 3006. Awards made 349.

1950-51.—Applications received 3830. Awards made 517

Shri Rathnaswamy: What is the method adopted by Government to see that the grants given for the benefit of these backward classes are properly spent by the States ?

Dr. Ambedkar: The money is not awarded to the States. The applications are disposed of by a Central Board. The States do not intervene at all.

Thakur Krishna Singh: May I know whether any lists of the backward classe in the merged States and Part B and Part C States have been prepared by the State Government concerned and is it not a fact that applications for scholarships presented by the students from these areas are not taken up because there is no such list ?

Dr. Ambedkar: There is the list all right. These lists are made on the recommendations made by the various States.

Shri R. K. Chaudhari: May I know when the lists of the backward classes were last revised ?