The Odisha government on Monday hiked pre-matriculation scholarships for the students belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. The last revision in the rate was last done in 2015.
The pre-matric scholarship is meant for the boarders of schools under the ST & SC Development Department and School & Mass Education Department.
As per the I&PR department release, the pre-matriculation scholarship for boy students has been increased to 950 from Rs 750. Similarly, the girl boarders will now be entitled to get Rs 1,000 from Rs 800.
As per official sources, an expenditure amounting to Rs 490 crore would be incurred annually towards the pre-matric scholarship. Apart from this, the State government has also decided to introduce millet-based food items in hostels menu to address the nutritional security of the boarders. The move is expected to benefit more than five lakh ST & SC boarders in the State, the release added.