Bhubaneswar,Dec.19: Odisha has provided highest residential hostel facilities to students belonging to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe (SC/ST) community in comparison to other states, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.Inaugurating the three-day-long Sargi Phul festival at the Adivasi Ground here on Wednesday, the CM said about six lakh tribal students have been provided residential hotel facilities in the state.
He advised the tribal children to study well and earn a good name. He also advised children to encourage their family members and other children in their village to do so.
The CM said tribal children are taught in English Medium Schools in the city. Besides, the government has launched Akankhya programme for higher education of tribal children.
“About 19 lakh SC/ST children are being provided a whopping Rs 1,100 crore as pre and post-matric scholarships in the state,” the CM said.
“The state government has decided to construct 100 hostels for OBC and SEBC and 40 for minority communities,” he added.
On the occasion, Patnaik laid the foundation stone of a permanent market for selling of various products made by tribals.
Notably, the SC/ST Development Department organises the Sargi Phul festival every year for the development of tribal children and make them familiar with the external environment. Nearly 1,000 children have participated in the three-day programme this year.
Prasanta Patnaik