Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 30: The Mohan Majhi government has decided to discontinue the Nutana Unnata Abhilasha (NUA) Odisha (Nua-O) scholarship scheme, which was introduced earlier this year by the previous BJD administration.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj announced this decision on Friday in response to a query from MLA Chakramani Kanhar in the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Suraj stated that there is no budgetary provision for the ‘Nua-O’ scheme starting this year.
Instead, the state government is developing a new initiative called the ‘Financial Assistance to UG & PG Students’ to support those unable to pursue higher education. The minister also highlighted that the ‘Mukhya Mantri Medhabi Chhatra Protschahana’ scheme, which includes various scholarships such as e-Medhabruti, Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti Scholarship, and Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata, will continue. The e-Medhabruti scheme provides financial support for undergraduate, postgraduate, and technical/professional students based on merit.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had launched the NUA-O Scholarship in February, offering annual scholarships of Rs 9,000 for boys and Rs 10,000 for girls in state higher education institutions.
