Model colleges to be set up in 374 educationally backward districts
	12:38 IST

Rajya Sabha There is a proposal to launch a new scheme with Central-State funding for establishment of one model degree college in each of the 374 identified educationally backward districts having Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) lower than the national GER for higher education. These include 62 districts identified by the Ministry of Minority Affairs as minority concentration districts where the population of the minority group is over 20% on the basis of the 2001 census data on population, and have poor socio-economic indicators and basic amenities indicators, 17 districts where minorities constitute 20% or more of the population and 36 districts which are dominated by those who are religious minorities nationally but are a majority in the respective States. This information was given by the Minister of State for Human Resource Development Smt. D. Purandeswari, in a written reply to a question, in the Rajya Sabha today. * * * * * * * * MV/Hb