MUMBAI: The state government has raised the annual family income cap from Rs 30,000 to Rs 8 lakh for students wanting to avail of the post-matric scholarship scheme. According to a government resolution issued on Wednesday, students belonging to the economically weaker sections and with a score of more than 50% in the Class X board exams and an annual family income of up to Rs 8 lakh will be eligible for scholarship from this academic year onwards.Introduced in 1978, the scholarship pays Class X passouts up to Rs 1,600 annually to pursue higher education. The state gives out 3,200 such scholarships each year. While the amount and number of scholarship remain unchanged, the state has increased the cap on family income.Earlier this week, the Centre cleared a 10% quota for people who have an annual income of less than Rs 8 lakh, own less than five acres of farmland, have homes smaller than 1,000 sq feet in a town or smaller than 900 sq feet in a notified municipal area.However, the GR issued by the school education department said the change was being made to be in line with the Rajshri Sahu Maharaj Scholarship provided by the higher and technical education, which has increased the family income eligibility cap from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh. “The current family income cap is very low and as a result of it a lot of deserving candidates do not get a chance. This defeats the purpose of the scheme to enable maximum students to pursue higher education,” said the GR.Teachers are disappointed with the move. “The change is huge and it will increase competition a lot. This will affect students who are most in need of scholarship. The state should in fact look at providing free education at government and aided colleges and schools. This would benefit a large number of students,” said Prashant Redij, spokesperson, Mumbai Principals Association.Activists agree. “Why would someone with an annual income of Rs 8 lakh need the scholarship? This means the scholarship will no longer be need-based,” said Shyam Sonar, a city-based education activist.

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