Non-payment of scholarship intentional: ATSUM
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, June 30 2014:
The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has accused the officials of MOBC and MOBED of intentionally not releasing Pre-Matric scholarship amount for religious minorities.
ATSUM Education Secretary Kakam Haokip said that it has come to the notice of the student's body during the course of an investigation that the non-payment and non-releasing of Pre-Matric scholarship for religious minorities was intentionally done by the officials of MOBC and MOBED.
For the academic year 2010-11, Rs 1,15,63,000 was to be distributed to 2415 selected students, Rs 50,20,000 to 1012 students in 2011-12 and Rs 3,14,22,000 to 6666 students in 2012-13, Kakam said.
As such, Rs 4,80,05,000 was the total amount which had to be distributed to a total of 10,093 students for the past three years, he added.
Kakam questioned why the scholarships for religious minorities were delayed if Scheduled Caste students could get their scholarship in time.
He also questioned why the selected list must be re-verified/re-checked at this point of time.
Maintaining that the selection list was issued three years back, Kakam said that many students are now in the college while many are married and many expired.
Contending that every student had to spend around Rs 400-500 in applying for the scholarship, Kakam said that the Department had already earned a huge amount of money in selling of forms alone.
He further said, "ATSUM will not accept any re-verification in the case" .
He demanded the Department to release the scholarship amount for the selected students and upload the same on their website at the earliest.
If necessary procedure is not completed within one week ATSUM would be compelled to act in the interest of the students' community.
The officer concerned along with Director, Deputy Director/Scheme Officer would be held responsible for any eventuality if the demand is not fulfilled within one week, he added.