Award of Opportunity Cost to Parents of Scheduled Caste Girl Students

Description
The scheme “Award of Opportunity Cost to Parents of Scheduled Caste Girl Students” was implemented by the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, Government of Puducherry to financially assist the Scheduled Caste parents for sending school their daughters who otherwise earn livelihood for the family engaging themselves in menial labour. Objective: The objective of the scheme is to eliminate the Scheduled Caste girl child labour and encourage Scheduled Castes parents to send their girl children to educational institutions by paying opportunity cost in lieu of the income shortage suffered by them.

Benefits
• Note 02: The opportunity cost is not payable in respect of girls re-admitted in a class for a second academic year, owing to failure or discontinuance in the class previously.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The student should be a girl student studying in Class VI Standard to XII Standard of a Government or Government recognized educational institution in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
2. The students should belong to the Scheduled Caste community.
3. The girl student and her parent/guardian should be a native of the Union Territory of Puducherry either by virtue of birth or by continuous residence for a period of not less than 3 years.
4. The annual income of the parents shall not be more than ₹24,000/-.
5. **Note:** The opportunity cost is payable to the parents only if girl students have been promoted to the next higher class.

Required Documents
• Identity proof i.e. Aadhaar Card
• Passport size photograph
• Educational documents/certificates i.e. Mark sheets
• Caste certificate
• Income certificate
• Residence-cum-nativity certificate issued by the competent authority
• Bank Account details

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the “Award of Opportunity Cost to Parents of Scheduled Caste Girl Students” scheme?
A: The scheme "Award of Opportunity Cost to Parents of Scheduled Caste Girl Students" was implemented by the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, Government of Puducherry for providing the financial assistance to the Scheduled Caste parents for sending school their daughters who otherwise earn livelihood for the family engaging themselves in menial labour.

Q: What is the objective of the scheme?
A: The objective of the scheme is to eliminate the Scheduled Caste girl child labour and encourage Scheduled Castes parents to send their girl children to educational institutions by paying opportunity cost in lieu of the income shortage suffered by them.

Q: What does "Opportunity cost" means?
A: "Opportunity cost" means the amount payable to the parents of Scheduled Caste of students to compensate them for the loss of income suffered by them on account of sending their girl children to schools, who are compelled by the Socio-economic system to work and earn for their families' subsistence income.

Q: Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?
A: Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, Union Territory of Puducherry

Q: What is the eligibility criterion to apply under the scheme?
A: The girl students studying in Class VI Standard to XII Standard of a Government or Government recognized educational institution in the Union Territory of Puducherry are eligible to apply under the scheme.

Q: Is this scheme only for the native of the Union Territory of Puducherry?
A: Yes, the girl student and her parent/guardian should be a native of the Union Territory of Puducherry either by virtue of birth or by continuous residence for a period of not less than 3 years.

Q: What is the income criterion for applying under the scheme?
A: The annual income of the parents shall not be more than [?]24,000/-.

Q: What is the benefit of the scheme?
A: Under this scheme, [?]3,000/- per academic year is payable to the Scheduled Caste parent for each daughter studying in classes VI to XII standard.

Q: Can a girl student also avail of the benefits of Pre-Matric Scholarship?
A: Yes, the opportunity cost is payable to the parents of the Scheduled Caste girl in addition to the Pre-Matric Scholarship payable to the children.

Q: Is this scheme only for girl students?
A: Yes, the scheme is only for girl students.

Q: How to apply for this scholarship?
A: Online submission of the application form can be done through the website of the National Scholarship Portal. https://scholarships.gov.in/