Bhubaneswar, Dec 7: Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday once again wrote to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requesting him to implement the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM- USHA) in the State soon.

In his letter, the Union Minister reminded the CM about his earlier letter on June 15, 2023, regarding the launch of the PM-USHA with an outlay of Rs 12,926.10 crore and to remain enforceable till March 31, 2026, in continuation of the scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan.

"The PM-USHA scheme is an important step of the Central government towards implementation of the National Education Policy, 2020 to attain a higher level of access, equity, and excellence in the States/UTs higher education system by prioritizing the unreserved and underserved areas, to be identified by States/UTs as focus districts on the bases of low GER, the population of SC/ST, leftwing-affected areas etc. PM-USHA will aim at creating new institutions and also transforming existing institutions in the States and UTs," noted Pradhan.

As per the scheme guidelines, the States/UTs are required to sign an MoU for onboarding the scheme for its implementation. Format for MoUs was shared with States/UTs on June 24, 2023.

"While the signing of an MoU is a prerequisite for inclusion of your State for implementation of the scheme, however, an MoU is yet to be signed by the Odisha government," wrote Pradhan.

He further informed that the process of submission of proposals for grants-in-aid under the PM USHA Scheme has already started through the dedicated portal for this purpose launched on October 21, 2023.

"Given the above, I seek your cooperation and continued support in implementing the PM- USHA scheme in Odisha and request you to look into this matter personally to ensure submission of the signed MoU by your State as per the format given in the guidelines as early as possible so that Odisha doesn't miss out on the benefits of the scheme," wrote Pradhan.

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