The Telangana government is set to add Egypt and Saudi Arabia to the list of countries where eligible minority students can pursue higher studies with financial assistance under the Chief Minister’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS). The proposal was discussed at a high-level review meeting held at Praja Bhavan in Hyderabad on Friday.
The scheme currently covers 10 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Germany, New Zealand and Japan. Each student receives up to ₹20 lakh, in addition to a one-way economy-class air ticket. No effective date for the addition of Egypt and Saudi Arabia has been stated.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Minorities Welfare Minister Md. Azharuddin, AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi and senior officials of the Minorities Welfare Department. The meeting also cleared the way for completing a long-pending multi-storey building adjacent to Haj House in Nampally. The GHMC was directed to release ₹25 crore from the amount due to the Waqf Board for Waqf land used in road-widening projects.
The funds will be used to complete the partially constructed building. It will house a study circle for minority students and offices of the minorities welfare department. The state also directed officials to remove hurdles to establishing study circles and assured that bills for buildings for educational institutions would be cleared without delay.
Officials were asked to resolve issues delaying the establishment of two study circles, one each in Moghalpura and Bandlaguda. Owaisi offered to provide ready-to-use premises at both locations and was asked to formally convey his offer. The state also assured the meeting that it would examine issues relating to Shaadi Mubaarak, alternative land for an Islamic Cultural Centre, applications from minority beneficiaries under the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme and pre-matric scholarships. It also assured timely release of funds.
