The Centre has provided free coaching to 7,830 students belonging to the minority communities under its Free Coaching and Allied scheme during the last financial year as against the target of six thousand. An official release says, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has provided around 16 crore rupees to 47 coaching institutes spread over 17 states for the purpose. The Ministry has made an enhanced allocation of 20 crore rupees available for the scheme this fiscal.

Our Correspondent reports, the Free Coaching and Allied scheme aims at enhancing skills and knowledge of students belonging to the disadvantaged section of society among the minorities. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to such students to get employment in public and private sectors, admission in reputed institutions in technical and professional courses at under-graduate and post-graduate levels. The scheme also provides for earmarking 30 per cent of the target for girls.