New Delhi, June 29 (IANS): The central government on Wednesday approved Rs 390 crore to be given as scholarships to Scheduled Caste students of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab where assembly elections are due next year.

"The sum of about Rs. 390 crores under post-matric scholarships for SC students in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh for the year 2016-17 has been approved," Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot said in a statement here.

"Out of Rs. 390 Crores, Rs. 217.89 crore has been released to Punjab and Rs. 173.32 crore for Uttar Pradesh." 

Under the scheme, scholarships ranging from Rs 230 to Rs 1,200 per month are be given to SC students up to post-graduation level. 

"With the release of these funds, a large number of SC students in both the states will be able to take up higher education," Gehlot said.

Uttar Pradesh and Punjab will elect new governments in 2017. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a junior partner in the ruling combine in Punjab, it has not been voted to power in Uttar Pradesh since 2002.