Bihar Cabinet Approves Savitribai Phule Girls Hostels for SC/ST Students to Boost Education

The State Cabinet, chaired by the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar, has taken a historic decision to encourage and empower the girls of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in higher education. Under the Chief Minister Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Girls Hostel Scheme, administrative approval has been given for the construction of Savitribai Phule Girls Hostel (100 seats) for housing the girls of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes studying in University/College/10+2 schools in 38 district headquarters of the state. This step is an important initiative towards establishing Bihar as a leading state in the field of girl education. The main objective of this scheme is to motivate the girls to move forward in the field of education by providing them safe and high-level residential facilities.

In addition to free housing, the girls living in the hostels will be provided with the arrangement of online classes for the preparation of various competitive examinations. Under this scheme, every girl student will get a monthly grant of ₹ 1000/- (one thousand rupees) under the Chief Minister Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hostel Grant Scheme. Also, under the food supply scheme, 09 kg rice and 06 kg wheat will be provided free of cost to each girl student.

The construction of new hostels will be completed in a phased manner from the financial year 2024-25 to 2025-26. The construction of each hostel building will cost ₹ 4,90,62,000/-, which will cost a total of ₹ 1,86,43,56,000/- (one billion eighty six crore forty three lakh fifty six thousand rupees).

These hostel buildings will be constructed by the Building Construction Department as per the technical approved estimate and map. Along with the construction work, the responsibility of furnishing and maintenance for five years will also be part of this project.

The Bihar government, taking inspiration from the ideals of great social reformers like Savitribai Phule, is constantly striving to give priority to the education of girls and their empowerment.

This decision of the Cabinet reflects the commitment of the Bihar Government towards girl education and overall development of women, so that they can contribute to the development of Bihar and the country.