Bhopal, Jan 31: The state cabinet has approved the proposals for stipend scheme for handicapped persons from the financial year 2007-08. The stipends for handicapped students belonging to schedule castes and scheduled tribes would be decided on the basis of daily rates and hostel rates prevalent in the department concerned. Besides, Rs 60 additional per month stipend would be given by Social Justice Department. This would cast a an additional burden of Rs 92 lakh per annum on the state exchequer. The stipends of primary and middle school level have been kept unchanged while the per month stipends to the students of higher secondary, graduate and post-graduate level have been increased by the Social Justice Department.

The state cabinet has increased the upper limit of parents\guardian of the entitled handicapped students from Rs 24000 to Rs 96000. The proposal to increase the incentive money for talented handicapped students has also been approved by the cabinet. Under the proposal, Rs 2,500 incentive money would be given to a handicapped student who takes admission at higher secondary level (class IX) after passing class eighth exam with 60 percent or more marks. Besides, Rs 3000 to the handicapped regular student who takes admission in college after passing class XII with 60 per cent or more marks.

Similarly, sight-impaired students taking admission in graduate, post-graduate and technical courses would be given Rs 100, Rs 125 and Rs 150 study allowance respectively.