Mangaluru : The Karnataka State Minority Commission has directed banks to increase the education loans for students from minority community to match the recent increase in the fees for undergraduate medical and dental courses.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, commission chairman Naseer Ahmed said that the fees for undergraduate medical and dental courses in the State has increased this year with ranking in the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test becoming the benchmark for getting admission to these courses. Fees for medical course were between ₹4 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.

Mr. Ahmed said that some NGOs, representing minorities, have given representation to the commission seeking hike in the loan amount.

It would be difficult for students to pursue medical course with a loan of around Rs 2 lakh, which was presently being given. During a meeting with representatives of different banks in the city on Saturday Mr. Ahmed asked them to increse the amount. He said similar direction has also been given to Karnataka State Minority Development Corporation, which also disburses education loan.

Mr. Ahmed said the commission will take up the issue during a meeting with Chief Secretary and other State government officers.

Mr. Ahmed said that 31,000 applications under Shaadi Bhagya Scheme were pending in the State.

Of this, 1,000 applications were from Dakshina Kannada. The State government sanctioned Rs 160 crore to clear applications that include 400 beneficiaries from the district.

Mr. Ahmed said he has asked the police to act against all those persons disturbing peace in the district.