The Odisha government has unveiled a new initiative to support tribal students, offering annual financial aid of Rs 5,000 to around three lakh students.
The announcement was made by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling in the Assembly on Thursday.
The aid is targeted at tribal students who have completed their 8th or 10th grade and are moving on to 9th or 11th grade.
The new scheme, dubbed 'Madho Singh Haath Kharch Yojana', aims to reduce the dropout rates among tribal students in the state.
The decision was approved during a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday night.
Under this scheme, the government has allocated Rs 156 crore in the state budget for this year.
Minister Mahaling highlighted that the financial assistance will enable students to continue their education without the burden of financial constraints.
This initiative comes in response to ongoing concerns about high dropout rates among tribal students at the secondary education level.
The 'Madho Singh Haath Kharch Yojana' will be implemented this year and is expected to benefit approximately three lakh Scheduled Tribe (ST) students across Odisha.
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