The Government on Tuesday sanctioned a total of Rs34.25 lakh for promotion of Odia language and purchase of books for students studying in Odia schools in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhand. Odia people residing in bordering areas of these three States had earlier urged the State Government to provide financial assistance in this regard. “The assistance would help Class IX and X students to buy Odia textbooks. Besides, the expenditure towards payment of salaries to 92 teachers appointed in schools run by different Odia organisations in West Bengal would be met from this assistance,” said a release of the CM’s Office. Notably, a representative team of the Utkaliay Milita Manch had met the CM and sought Government support for promotion of Odia language in the neighbouring States.