Odisha hikes pre-matric scholarship for ST, SC hostel boarders

Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has enhanced the pre-matric scholarship for ST and SC hostel boarders from Rs 750 to Rs 950 for boys and from Rs 800 to Rs 1000 for girls.

Provision of pre-matric scholarships to ST and SC hostel boarders of schools under the ST & SC Development Department and School & Mass Education Department is one of the flagship schemes of the State Government.

The pre-matric scholarship primarily meant for the mess management in the hostels aims at the educational and holistic development of ST and SC boarders.

Further, millet-based food items would be introduced in hostel menu to address the nutritional security of the boarders. The scheme would benefit more than five lakh ST and SC boarders.

An expenditure amounting to Rs 490 crores would be incurred annually towards the pre-matric scholarship. The monthly rate of PMS of ST & SC boarder students was last enhanced in the year 2015.