Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to Re-Open Free Coaching for SC, ST, and OBC Students
In a significant development, Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal announced the revival of the ‘Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana’ on Friday, October 18, 2024.
This initiative, which offers free coaching for competitive exams to students from Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), had been suspended for nearly two years.
Kejriwal also announced the revival of the ‘Dilli Ke Farishtey’ scheme, which rewards those who assist road accident victims within the critical ‘golden hour’ with free cashless treatment at private hospitals.
However, the reimplementation of these schemes may face a potential roadblock, pending approval from Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena, with whom the AAP government has had a tumultuous relationship in the past.
The Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana had initially been launched in 2018 to support reserved category students from families earning less than ₹8 lakh annually. It aimed to provide free coaching for entrance exams in fields such as engineering, medicine, and civil services, with the Delhi government covering the coaching fees. However, the scheme became defunct after private coaching institutes stopped receiving payments from the government.
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Kejriwal said the free coaching program was deliberately halted following his judicial custody in April 2024, in connection with a money laundering case tied to the excise policy for 2021-22. “The scheme had some issues during the pandemic, but it was completely stopped after I was jailed,” he said.
In response to the AAP leader’s claims, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva accused Mr. Kejriwal of making “false allegations” against the BJP due to growing frustration from recent electoral setbacks. Sachdeva claimed that Kejriwal’s remarks stemmed from “a string of failures and anti-incumbency” as the capital prepares for its next Assembly elections.
The scheme’s discontinuation created significant hurdles for thousands of students, as coaching institutes, which had admitted students under the program, stopped receiving funds. With the government now aiming to revive the scheme, Kejriwal assured that all pending payments would be cleared following verification.
The Delhi Chief Minister emphasized his commitment to ensuring that maximum beneficiaries can access the free coaching program. “Our children’s education is a priority. Whatever resources are needed to support their future, we will provide them,” Kejriwal stated, adding that the scheme was not a scholarship but a direct financial support model where students could enroll in their chosen institutes, and the government would pay the fees directly to those institutes.
In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Delhi CM Atishi also highlighted the re-launch of the scheme, asserting, “The Mukhyamantri Jai Bhim Yojana was stalled as part of a conspiracy to imprison Arvind Kejriwal, but his vision for empowering underprivileged students has triumphed. Under his leadership, the Delhi Cabinet has approved the scheme’s return, enabling countless youths to receive free coaching and pursue their dreams.”
With the reactivation of this initiative, thousands of SC, ST, and OBC students can once again access valuable coaching to prepare for competitive exams, marking a major step forward in the Delhi government’s commitment to inclusive education.
Sources –
Hindustan Times – https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-govt-announces-re-start-of-scheme-for-free-coaching-for-underprivileged-101729246820878.html
The Statesman – https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/delhi-govt-to-restart-free-coaching-scheme-for-underprivileged-kids-1503355037.html
Arvind Kejriwal Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/arvindkejriwal/
Atishi X (Formely Twitter) – https://x.com/AtishiAAP
Virendra Sachdeva Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sachdevavirendra/
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