Sikshasri project was started in class V to VIII for the purpose of providing financial assistance for the education of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes at the upper primary level. Initially the Ministry of Backward Classes Welfare of the Government of West Bengal. Hon'ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee - June 30, 2014 Children belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes who attend government or government aided schools and whose family income is less than Rs. 2.5 lakhs per annum will be covered under this scheme. Ninth to twelfth grade students are excluded from the scheme as they receive scholarships from the central government.