Bhubaneswar:  In a significant development today, the Odisha Sports Ministry has increased the sports scholarship amount in all sports hostels and sporting excellence centres across the state. Earlier, the per capita expense for the inmates at the sports hostels was Rs 100. It is now increased to Rs 125 per head. Similarly, the per capita expenses at the sporting excellence centres were increased to Rs 150 from Rs 125.

The decision was taken by Sports & Youth Services Minister Shri Ramesh Chandra Majhi. “The decision to hike the stipend was taken because of the rising food prices in the market,” he said. Also, the monthly make-up cost of the girls has been increased to Rs 150 from the existing Rs 100.

The revised stipend will be implemented from December 1, 2012. All sports hostels have been intimated in this regard.