The State Government has effected partial amendment in the admission rules of SC and ST post-matric hostels. Now, class X pass students can live in pre-matric hostels till completion of class XII studies. After all class X students are admitted in a hostel, remaining vacancies will be allotted to students of class XI and XII. Rates of stipend and post-matric scholarship will remain the same.
Similarly, if SC and ST college and post-graduation students are already staying in post-matric hostels, they will be allowed to stay there till completion of course. Admission to such students will be given on remaining vacancies after completion of all students of class XI and XII. No student will be eligible to stay in hostel after completion of course. Permission to stay in the hostel will also not be given on passing one class and taking admission in another course of same level.
The Scheduled Castes Welfare Department and Tribal Welfare Department have made it clear that SC and ST students can stay in post-matric hostels till completion of their courses. There was no practice to remove them from hostels earlier, nor will it be undertaken in future. Admission rules will be issued separately in view of shortage of post-matric hostels.
It is noteworthy that there are one lakh SC and 1.84 lakh ST students of class XI and XII in the state. Thus, total 2.84 lakh ST and ST students are studying in the state. Against it, capacity of only 12,875 seats is available in hostels. At present, there are only 110 tribal and 124 ST post-matric hostels in the state with 6450 and 6425 capacity.