Government decides to revise minority student scholarship ratio

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has decided to revise the ratio of minority scholarships given to students. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting held today. It is learnt that the new proportion will be based on the 2011 census data.

In the state, Christians make up 18.38 percent, Muslims 26.56 percent, Buddhists 0.01 percent, Jains 0.01 percent, and Sikhs 0.01 percent. However, there will not be any reduction in the number or the amount of scholarships for the current beneficiaries. As Rs 23.51 crore is required for the scholarship, an additional Rs 6.2 crore has been allowed to the existing fund.

The announcement comes after the Kerala High Court had on May 29 quashed the 2015 state government order providing scholarships in 80:20 ratio to Muslims and Latin Christians and Converted Christians, saying it was ''legally unsustainable.''