Patna: Bihar minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) national president Dr Santosh Kumar Suman has called for financial assistance for students from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of the general category, seeking fee concessions in competitive examinations and greater support for higher education.
Suman has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to introduce measures that would ease the financial burden on EWS students pursuing education and preparing for competitive examinations.
Fee Concessions in UPSC, BPSC, NEET and JEE
Suman has demanded concessions in application fees for major competitive examinations, including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).
He said economically weaker students should receive financial relief at the application stage so that examination fees do not become an obstacle to their participation.
Scholarships for IIT, Medical and Engineering Courses
The HAM leader has also called for scholarship provisions for EWS students pursuing courses in IITs, medical institutions, engineering colleges and management institutes.
He further proposed income-based concessions in admission and tuition fees at colleges and universities to make higher education more affordable.
Support for Hostel, Mess and Other Expenses
Suman said financial assistance should extend beyond tuition and examination fees. He has also sought support for hostel accommodation, mess charges and other education-related expenses.
According to his proposal, such assistance would help ensure that financial difficulties do not interrupt students’ academic journeys.
Calls for Equal Opportunities Without Reducing Existing Benefits
Suman emphasised that extending financial assistance to economically weaker students from the general category should not involve reducing benefits already available to other sections.
He called for equal opportunities and financial support for all students facing economic hardship, arguing that economic justice should complement social justice.
He has urged the Prime Minister and the Bihar Chief Minister to consider the proposals and take steps to strengthen financial support for EWS students.
