{
  "id": 230904,
  "title": "Enhance family income ceiling for availing scholarship by tribal students, Kerala Minister urges Centre",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/enhance-family-income-ceiling-for-availing-scholarship-by-tribal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-06T17:57:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/enhance-family-income-ceiling-for-availing-scholarship-by-tribal-students-kerala-minister-urges-centre/article71314840.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The government of Kerala has petitioned the central authorities to raise the income threshold for availing post-metric scholarships for tribal students. In a letter addressed to Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Kerala's Welfare Minister K.A. Thulasi proposed increasing the family income ceiling from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹4.5–5 lakh. She argued that this change was crucial due to the increasing cost of living.\n\nThulasi further urged the central government to implement monthly disbursements for hostel fees, as well as PhD contingency funds, based on monthly attendance. Instead of a single annual disbursement, this would provide more regular financial support to the students. Additionally, the State proposed bifurcating the direct benefit transfer system so that institutional fees (including tuition, examination, and special fees) are credited directly to the institution's bank account, while the maintenance allowance goes to the student. This move aims to prevent disputes over non-payment of fees.\n\nThe State also requested timely release of the first installment of the Central share at the beginning of the academic year. In the memorandum, they suggested that the Centre might consider revising the implementation guidelines for Grants-in-Aid under Article 275(1) of the Constitution. This would provide flexibility in the project period, especially for infrastructure works carried out in remote and inaccessible tribal regions.\n\nFurthermore, Thulasi emphasized the need for the Centre to increase funding for the establishment of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in both plain and hilly areas. Currently, Kerala allocates ₹75,000 from state resources to inter-caste couples involving a Scheduled Tribe partner. She called for the Union government to create a Central-sponsored 'Inter-Caste Marriage Assistance Scheme' for Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries.",
  "summary": "In a memorandum submitted to Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Kerala Minister K.A. Thulasi says the change in the ceiling is necessary, given the rising living costs",
  "key_points": [
    "Kerala seeks to raise income threshold for tribal scholarship from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹4.5–5 lakh.",
    "Propose monthly hostel fee disbursements and PhD contingency funds based on attendance.",
    "Suggest bifurcating direct benefit transfer for institutional fees and maintenance allowance."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Kerala's push for a higher income threshold and tweaks to scholarship disbursements signals a bid to make educational support more effective and accessible for tribal students.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "P.J. Kurien urges Speaker to ensure Home Minister’s presence in Lok Sabha",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/p-j-kurien-urges-speaker-to-ensure-home-ministers-presence-in-lok",
        "published": "2026-08-06T17:43:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}