According to the sources, the defence ministry has asked the finance ministry to remove the cap of Rs10,000 per month on educational assistance given to children of martyrs or those disabled in action.
In 1972, a provision was made to waive off the tuition fees in schools, colleges and other professional educational institutions for martyrs children. An order was issued by the government last year stating that the assistance under the scheme cannot exceed Rs10,000 per month, triggering widespread discontent among all the three services.
A defence ministry official said, “The defence minister has requested the finance ministry to remove the cap. We are hoping for a favourable decision.”
Sources have revealed that around 250 students were affected during the current financial year following the government’s decision to cap the assistance.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre last month had said that the annual saving on account of putting the cap would be Rs3.20 crore per annum.
