Bhubaneswar, April 3: Odisha Government has utilised 100 per cent of the Central funds - Rs 1010.36 crore – allocated by the Centre for the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST students in last five financial years – FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey disclosed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
The Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST students is an open ended Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through States/UTs. The Central Share fund is released based on the demand/proposal submitted by the respective States/UTs along with other requisite documents/compliance under the scheme, said the Minister.
While Rs 190.96 crore Central share was released in financial year 2020-21, Rs 218.43 crore was released in FY 2021-22, Rs 171.33 crore in FY 2022-23, Rs 135.64 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 294 crore in FY 2024-25, said the Minister Uikey.
The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST students is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the respective State Governments and UT Administrations. The Central Government releases funds only after the State/UT submits the required demand proposal, Statement of Expenditure (SoE), and other mandatory documents, ensuring compliance with Ministry guidelines. Funds may not be released in specific years if the State/UT has an existing unspent balance or has failed to meet the necessary compliance requirements.
The number of beneficiaries may vary financial year-wise, due to the difference between the Financial Year and the Academic Year cycles. Also, beneficiaries in a particular financial year may include beneficiaries of previous Academic year also. Overall, there is no stagnation in the number of beneficiaries over the years.
