16,000 Gujjar, Bakerwal students given scholarships in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 4 (UNI) As many as 16,000 students from Gujjar and Bakerwal communities in south Kashmir were offered scholarships during this year, an official spokesman said today.

He said the students from the two communities belonged to Aishmuqam area in Anantnag district of south Kashmir.

The scholarships were to the tune of Rs 3.74 lakh, the spokesman said, adding 102 Pahari speaking students from Pahalgam area had also been provided financial aid of Rs 1.44 lakh.

Besides, 198 students from Pahalgam area were offered scholarships based on merit worth Rs 3.17 lakh.

The spokesman said students from class I to V were being provided mid-day meals while 5270 school children were also given free text books.

Besides, 21 new schools were opened and 15 others upgraded in the Anantnag district, he added.

UNI