Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government credited Rs 101 crore of Post Matric Scholarship to around 50,000 students. This was informed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while inaugurating several progarmmes of the SC and ST Development Department through video conference today.

The scholarship amount was credited to the bank accounts of 50,000 students who registered themselves on the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.

Also, the CM launched the ‘Sanhati Programme’ today under which students will be imparted primary education in their mother tongue. Around 1.5 lakh students will be benefitted with the decision. Patnaik stated the learning process becomes better when primary students are taught in mother tongue.

Under the 5T initiative, the Chief Minister also launched the ‘Mo Chhatrabasa’ card for students staying at hostels. Patnaik informed that around 5.75 lakh inmates staying at 6,700 hostels meant for SC and ST students.

He further stated the State government has been implementing the ‘Akankhya Programme’ to provide education to the SC and ST students at reputed schools. As part of the scheme, the CM inaugurated three Akankhya hostels at Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela.

He also dedicated 68 hostels in different parts of the State constructed at the cost of Rs 150 crore.
Among others, Minister Jagannath Saraka, Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra, Development Commissioner PK Jena, 5T Secretary VK Pandian and Secretary Ranjana Chopra and senior officials were present in the meeting.