While replying to a debate on the issue raised through a calling attention notice by Praniti Shinde (Cong) and others Social Justice Minister Shivajirao Moghe said the remaining amount out of Rs 623 crore, would be given by the year-end.
He said the state government has so far spent Rs 1200 crore for paying 50 percent of the scholarship fee to OBC, SBC and NT students.
He said a decision on granting scholarships for BCA, BBA and BCCA courses will be taken by the cabinet soon.
The minister made it clear that colleges have been asked to ensure that education of the students was not affected if the fees were not paid. "Colleges doing so will be dealt with severely," he said.
The House had to be adjourned for 45 minutes as opposition persisted with the demand that the government make its stand clear on why it had not implemented its decision taken two years ago of providing scholarships to OBC students.
The Minister said the state government was awaiting funds from the Centre. The members wanted the state government to bear the financial burden.
Moghe rejected the Opposition charge that the government was anti-OBC. "It was during our tenure that the scheme started in 2003," he said.