Not many takers for CM KCR's Overseas Scholarship Scheme

Hyderabad: Yearly quota earmarked under the Chief Minister's Overseas Scholarship scheme is not being filled since its inception in 2015. While the government has fixed a limit to sponsor 500 students every year, the maximum number sent until now was 350.

Under this scheme, students from minorities including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Jains are being extended a scholarship of Rs 20 lakh for higher studies in 10 countries including USA, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand etc.

Elaborating details in question hour in Assembly on Friday, Scheduled Caste Development and Minorities Welfare Minister Koppula Eshwar stated that till now 1,685 students availed this scheme.

Responding to MIM MLA Jaffer Hussain's request whether they are planning to increase the cap on yearly quota, the minister said there was no need at this juncture as the present quota (of 500 students per year) itself is not being filled for the last five years.