Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 8: The state Cabinet Monday approved Kalinga Sikhya Sathi Yojana to provide education loan at 1 per cent rate of interest for students pursuing higher studies in India.
“In order to ward off the financial stress of the parents facing hardship in paying higher rates of interest, the state government has decided to provide financial assistance in the form of interest subvention against education loan availed from banks under Kalinga Sikhya Sathi Yojana,” said Chief Secretary AP Padhi.
He said interested students can apply for a loan at any of the nationalised banks in the state.
The criteria for availing of study loan under the scheme include parents’ income to be below Rs 6 lakh per annum and loan must be availed for pursuing education inside the country.
Students can get loan up to `10 lakh from any nationalised bank and the moratorium period shall be of four-five years.
“The state government hopes that banks will come forward and provide loans to the students for higher studies,” Padhi said, adding, “Rules should be properly followed by parents and students for availing loans.”
The cabinet which cleared 14 proposals also gave nod for amendment to the Orissa State Prosecution Service Rules – 1997 to provide scope for differently-abled persons to compete for the posts of prosecutors of several ranks which were not possible earlier.
The government will now be able to provide 3 per cent job reservation for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the state prosecution service.
The Cabinet also sanctioned 60 acre of land in favour of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), free of premium, at Taraboi mauza under Jatni tehsil in Khurda for establishment of Skill Development Institute and approved waiver of incidental charge, ground rent, cess and interest amounting to `77.92 lakh for the government land alienated in favour of State Institute of Hotel Management in Bolangir.
Moreover, the Cabinet also gave nod for amendment to Orissa sub-ordinate fodder service (recruitment and condition of service) rules 2012 for creation of appointment and promotional facilities for the fodder personnel working in the sub-ordinate of offices of animal resources development sector.