As many as 14 tribal students of the State have got opportunity to study abroad on Government expenses on Foreign Study Scholarship Scheme being implemented by Tribal Welfare Department. State Government has spend Rs 2.64 crore on this.
The Department has also amended rules of the scheme. This year, 50 tribal students can study abroad. Under the scheme, 10 students were selected every year till last year. Minister of State for SC, ST Welfare Harishankar Khatik has directed departmental officers to ensure selection of students for current year at the earliest.
As per another amendment, upper income limit of students’ parents has been increased to Rs 10 lakh from Rs 5 lakh. Now, tribal students will be able to go to foreign countries to study medical, commerce, management and law graduation apart from higher education courses. Sustenance, contingency and appliances allowances have also been increased. There was no provision regarding admission fee by the rules earlier.
Under Foreign Study Scholarship, 14 tribal students have taken admission in higher education courses at world-famous universities in Australia, Russia, England, America, Poland, Switzerland, China etc. Five of these students have completed their studies. Commissioner Tribal Development Umakant Umrao informed that the State Government has also abolished condition of return to country after completing study abroad.