The labour ministry has revised its approach to the Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards of Beedi/Cine/Iron, Manganese and Chrome ore (IOMC) /Limestone and Dolomite ore (LSD) /Mica mines workers – Pre & Post-Matric.
This scheme is designed to reduce financial hardship and promote educational continuity among vulnerable worker households. The scheme is need-based in nature and does not prescribe any merit criteria.
The revision will allow a student availing of the Ministry’s welfare-based scholarship to also receive a merit-based scholarship from any Central or State Government agency, where eligible.
This reform marks a departure from earlier provisions and ensures that deserving students from unorganised worker families are not denied educational opportunities because of overlapping eligibility conditions.
The measure is expected to directly benefit the wards of Beedi, Cine and Non-Coal (IOMC/LSD/Mica) Mine workers by improving access to higher education and reducing dropout rates.
With this amendment, the wards of Beedi, Cine and Non-Coal Mine workers will now be able to pursue higher education with enhanced financial support, including access to better merit-based scholarships, thereby enabling them to realise their academic aspirations and improve their long-term well-being and future livelihood prospects.
According to the PIB report, the initiative is fully aligned with the objectives of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
This reform reiterates the Government’s steadfast commitment to labour welfare, social justice and educational empowerment, particularly for workers in the unorganised sector.
