Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, May 4: Hundreds of students from the SC/ST community greeted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at his residence here Monday following the recent increase in seat reservation for SC/ST students in the higher education sector.
The students greeted the CM with flowers and thanked him for taking a decision aimed at their empowerment. Sports minister Sudam Marndi, SC/ST development minister Lal Bihari Himirika, higher education minister Pradeep Panigrahi and textiles minister Snehangini Chhuria were present at the occasion.
The state government had increased the seat reservations for SC/ST students April 29 in all government educational institutes in the higher education sector.
The CM announced that the reservation of seats for SC/ST students in government institutes would total 38.75 per cent against the existing 20 per cent. While seat reservation for ST students was increased from 12 per cent to 22.5 per cent, seats for SC students were raised from the existing eight per cent to 16.25 per cent.
The CM was quoted in an official release as saying the new reservation policy will be implemented at Plus II, Degree and Post Graduation levels, also covering medical, engineering, technical education and other professional education sectors.
The revised reservation policy will be effective from the 2015-16 academic session.
Meanwhile, a group of students opposing the move staged protests Monday at Vani Vihar, following which police had to intervene to avoid a law and order situation.