Bhubaneswar, May 13: The Tribes Advisory Council (TAC) today decided to upgrade high schools in the 118 ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) blocks to Plus Two Colleges. Addressing the council here, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said the pre-matric scholarship for girls has been enhanced to Rs 630 from Rs 500 per month with effect from May 1.

The pre-matric scholarship for tribal boys has also been enhanced to Rs 600 from Rs 500. Around four lakh students would benefit from this scheme. Naveen also said another 1,000 hostels would be constructed for tribal girls during the current year. Around 2,040 hostels had already been opened for girl students. Junior Red Cross units had also been set up in more than 100 tribal schools to involve students in social activities.The state government had also decided to provide career counselling desks in 100 high schools.

Naveen said that a special legislation to regulate the issuance and verification of caste certificates relating to the SC, ST and backward class citizens of the state would be introduced soon. Secretary of SC and ST development department Santosh Sarangi said the council had decided to recommend to the central government to include Ho and Kolha tribal languages in the Eighth schedule of the Constitution.