Shillong, March 21: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr.Mukul Sangma on Monday announced a new scheme under which students of higher secondary schools, who attend their classes regularly, will be given stipend. Replying to the discussion on the budget in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said that under the new scheme, which would be initiated from the academic year 2017-18, an assistance of Rs 5,000 would be awarded to students who attain 80 percent attendance in an academic year. This scheme is aimed at encouraging students to attend classes regularly and will help in reducing dropout rate at the higher secondary level. It may be mentioned that Dr Sangma announced in the Assembly on Monday that the state government had already sanctioned fund for the Engineering College, which is next to Shillong Polytechnic, the Architecture and Urban Design institute in Tura. Tender in this regard will be floated shortly, he added.