Launching the Prime Minister School for Rising India (PM SHRI) at a function organised at Railway Auditorium in Bhubaneswar, Pradhan said the scheme is launched in 37 Kendriya Vidyalayas and 26 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in Odisha in the first phase.

He said the PM SHRI scheme was started on September 7, 2022 to cover 14,500 schools across the country at a cost of Rs 28,000 crore. Total 6,000 schools have been selected for the first phase and 4,000 more schools will be included in the second phase, he added.

“From today, 63 Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in Odisha of the total 97 Central schools in Odisha have been brought under the scheme. While the government had sanctioned Rs 50.8 crore for these schools for 2023-24, Rs 12.7 crore has already been paid,” the minister said.

Stating that these schools will be upgraded under the Centrally sponsored scheme, he said those will showcase all the components of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 and provide high-quality education in equitable, inclusive and joyful environment.

Appealing to chief minister Naveen Patnaik to implement the scheme in Odisha schools, Pradhan said two schools each in blocks and municipal areas would benefit. The Centre would provide a grant of Rs 2 crore to each school, he added.