Bhubaneswar, July 11: The State Government will provide Rs 50,000 to needy ST and SC students from underprivileged backgrounds pursuing general degree courses in any Government institution from this year, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
“A one-time financial assistance up to Rs 50,000 to needy ST-SC students from underprivileged backgrounds pursuing general degree courses in any government institution in the state will be provided from this year,” said Patnaik while addressing the Tribes Advisory Council Meeting here.
“My Government has been taking sustained interventions to improve the socio-economic conditions and realize the educational needs of our tribal communities. Education, livelihood and protection of their rights have been our focus area,” said Patnaik.
Special Development Councils have been playing a vital role to focus on promotion, protection and preservation of the tribal culture and traditions, heritage, and identity by involving tribal people. This year, the progamme has been expanded to 172 blocks of 23 districts, covering more than 84 lakh ST people, added the Chief Minister.
Patnaik said, “Hostel facilities are available to more than 6 lakh students from 4.2 lakh households in 1,735 schools functioning under the department. In the last 20 years, the number of High Schools under ST&SC Development Department has almost doubled, from 215 to 422. Similarly, 62 Higher Secondary Schools have been opened for providing Higher Secondary Education.”
With a budget allocation of Rs 500 crore, the Mukhya Mantri Jivika Mission will provide support to 1.5 lakh tribal households in 121 TSP blocks of the State over a three-year period from 2022-23 to 2025-26.
“Odisha has submitted a proposal to the Union Government for expansion of the Odisha PVTG Empowerment & Livelihoods Improvement Programme for implementation in newly notified 1,138 PVTG villages from 2024-25 onwards for a period of seven years,” added the Chief Minister.
