Accusing the Centre of grossly neglecting SC and ST students, the State’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) staged a demonstration in front of the Raj Bhavan here on Saturday protesting the modification in the funding pattern for post-Matric scholarship by the Centre.
“It shows the anti-development attitude of the Centre. The move to modify the post Matric scholarship norms would push the future of nearly 2 lakh tribal students in the State into darkness. Due to such modification, Odisha is bearing an additional financial burden of around Rs 500 crore,” alleged Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera.
The ruling party alleged that the Centre has reduced the post-Matric scholarship funds for Schedule Caste (SC) students. Until 2016-17, the Centre was providing 90 percent of funds while the State was bearing the remaining10 percent.
However, the Centre has revised the liability of the State Government during 2017-18, wherein the State had to bear the 80 per cent of the total expenditure.
Earlier, expressing displeasure, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in a letter had urged Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot to restore the previous funding pattern of 90:10 for smooth implementation of the programme.