India, June 25 -- To woo the tribal community ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Council (BMC) elections, the state cabinet on Tuesday has agreed to increase the allowance given to tribal students staying in government hostels. The food, education, subsistence allowance of over 58,000 tribal students will be raised by 40%-100% putting an additional burden of Rs.83.66 crore on the state.

The tribal development department has 490 hostels for students from tribal communities, 284 for boys and 206 for girls, with a total capacity of 58,700 students. To encourage students from tribal communities to complete their higher education at the tehsil, district, and divisional level, the government gives them allowances for food and educational mate...