Bhubaneswar: Now onwards, orphans will not face financial problem to pursue Under Graduation and Post Graduation Degree, thanks to the decision of the Odisha Government to support them.
Aravind Agarwal, Secretary Higher Education has issues detailed guidelines on this regard. State Government is financially supporting various vulnerable groups while implementing Gopabandhu Sikshya Sahayata Yojana (GSSY).
Looking at the growing demand for Higher Education among several vulnerable groups, the State Government has added to the new categories of families to which the students belong.
Those are Specially Cared Child (Orphan children without any biological or adoptive or legal parents), Students belonging to Transgender Community and Girl Students rescued by the Department of Women & Child Development and continues to stay in shelter home for rehabilitation or hostel.
Department of Higher Education has brought out detailed guideline in this regard.
From Academic Year 2023-24, these three new categories, which will be able to receive financial support for pursuing Higher Education, said an official communiqué.
State Government through GSSY is supporting families impacted by HIV/AIDS, Homeless Household Family, Begging or Destitute Families, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG), Legally Emancipated Bonded Laborers Family.
Similarly, families led by Single Mother, be it through widowhood, divorce, or being unmarried.
Now the above three new categories are added to the GSSY List, which will go a long way in benefitting these vulnerable groups, officials say.
Department of SSEPD and Department of W&CD has been informed about the addition of the new groups and after wards eligible students from these groups would be able to avail the benefits of GSSY, said an official.