Una, July 8:- The Himachal Pradesh Government provides financial assistance to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students for pursuing technical and professional education after matriculation under the Education Loan Scheme. Under the scheme, loans of up to ?75,000 are provided interest-free, while loans ranging from ?75,000 to ?1.5 lakh are available at an annual interest rate of 4 to 5 per cent. The parents or guardians of the applicant are also made co-borrowers under the scheme.
The loan facility is available only to students belonging to families with an annual income of less than ?3 lakh. The scheme covers diploma and degree courses such as JBT, MBBS, Engineering, one-year Hotel Management, MBA, GAMS, MS, Nursing and several other professional programmes. Repayment of the loan begins two years after completion of the course or upon securing employment, whichever is earlier.
This information was shared by the R.K. Kala Manch Chintpurni, a cultural troupe associated with the Department of Information and Public Relations, during awareness programmes organised on Wednesday, the third day of the first phase, in Dangoh Khas and Gondpur Banehra Upper villages of Gagret subdivision. Through songs, music and street plays, the artists educated villagers about the Education Loan Scheme, explaining that it helps economically weaker SC and ST students pursue higher education and fulfil their career aspirations.
The artists also created awareness about the Chief Minister Sukh Ashray Yojana, Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, Indira Gandhi Sukh Suraksha Yojana, and other welfare schemes. They also placed special emphasis on drug abuse prevention, describing addiction as a serious social evil and urging people to stay away from drugs while encouraging others in society to do the same.
**Schedule of Upcoming Awareness Programmes
As part of the campaign, awareness programmes will be organised on July 9 at Kailash Nagar and Gagret Upper, and on July 10 at Mou Khas and Sakohan in Bangana subdivision.
During the second phase, Purvi Kala Manch Jalgran Tabba will conduct awareness programmes from July 14 to July 18. Programmes will be held at Jodiyan and Janani in Haroli on July 14; Jungle Panjawar and Bhadsali Tholiyan on July 15; Batuhi and Lamlehri Upper in Una on July 16; Jakheda and Bahdala Lower on July 17; and Paroiyan Kalan and Pansai on July 18. Through songs, music and street plays, people will be entertained while being informed about various public welfare schemes of the government.
Among those present on the occasion were Dangoh Khas Pradhan Harpal Singh, Gondpur Banehra Pradhan Rekha Rani, Dangoh Khas Vice-Pradhan Bhagwan Dass, Gondpur Banehra Upper Vice-Pradhan Jeevan Kumar, Secretary Neeraj Chauhan, Monica Kaur, ward members of the panchayats and a large number of local residents.