Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at constructing hostels for Scheduled Caste (SC) students. It provides financial assistance for constructing new hostels, expanding existing ones, and maintaining operational hostels. The scheme focuses on encouraging SC students, particularly girls, to pursue quality education by providing them with residential facilities.
Key Objectives
- Construction of Hostels:
- Build new hostels and expand existing ones for SC students.
- Special focus on constructing girls’ hostels with 100-seat capacity in blocks with low female literacy rates.
- Maintenance and Repairs:
- Ensure proper upkeep of operational hostels.
- Promote Education:
- Reduce dropout rates among SC students, especially girls.
- Provide residential facilities to SC students studying in middle school, higher secondary school, colleges, and universities.
- Social Equity:
- Create opportunities for SC students to achieve educational and social empowerment.
Benefits
- Promotes Education:
- Encourages SC students to continue their education without financial or residential constraints.
- Supports Women’s Education:
- Prioritizes the construction of separate hostels for SC female students.
- Reduces Financial Burden:
- Eases the pressure on families from economically weaker sections.
- Social Justice:
- Promotes educational equity and reduces dropout rates.
Eligibility Criteria
For Hostels:
- Priority is given to:
- Areas with an SC population of 15% or more.
- Schools with top performance and no existing hostels.
- Blocks with low SC female literacy rates for constructing girls’ hostels.
- Hostels should preferably be part of existing educational institutions rather than standalone buildings.
- The scheme focuses on:
- Middle and higher secondary school levels.
- College and university education.
- Essential features of the hostel:
- Boundary walls.
- Accommodation for wardens and guards.
For Implementing Agencies:
- Eligible Agencies:
- State Governments, UT Administrations.
- Central and State Universities/Institutions.
- Conditions:
- The applying institution must have at least 15% SC student population and inadequate hostel facilities.
Exclusions
- The scheme does not fund individuals but rather institutions.
- Private institutions are not eligible to apply unless otherwise specified.
Application Process
Offline Steps:
- Separate Applications:
- Submit separate proposals for SC girls and boys hostels in the prescribed format (Annexures I to II).
- Supporting Documents:
- Include physical and financial progress reports of hostels sanctioned earlier.
- Proof of Ownership:
- For new constructions or expansions, provide proof of ownership and occupancy of the land where the hostel is to be built.
- Submission:
- Submit the application and supporting documents to the relevant authorities as specified in the scheme guidelines.
Documents Required
For the release of the 2nd installment, the following must be submitted:
- Utilization Certificate as per the format in the sanction letter.
- Audit Reports since the release of the 1st installment.
- Balance Sheet since the release of the 1st installment.
- Income and Expenditure Statement since the 1st installment.
- Receipts of Payments since the 1st installment.
- Bank Statement reflecting the 1st installment and interest earned.
- Status of utilization of matching share by the implementing agency, if applicable.
- Site Inspection Report.
- Photographs of the project site.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the objective of BJRCY?
- To provide residential facilities for SC students and encourage their education by reducing dropout rates.
- Who can apply?
- State Governments, UT Administrations, Central/State Universities, and eligible educational institutions.
- What is prioritized under this scheme?
- Construction of hostels for SC girls in areas with low female literacy rates.
- What documents are required?
- Ownership proof of the land, utilization certificate, audit reports, and site photographs, among others.
- Can private institutions apply?
- No, the scheme is restricted to eligible public institutions unless otherwise specified.
Contact Information
For further details, contact the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.