SC students demand release of scholarship
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 01 2018:
Due to non-release of scholarship amount, SC students are facing many problems.
Many are not able to pay their tuition fees, said president of All Manipur Schedule Caste Students Union Angom Sunderlal.
He was speaking to media persons at the residence of former Minister Biren at Lamphel Sana Keithel, Imphal today.
Since MOBC started looking after the SC scholarship from last year, the scholarship scheme has failed to reach the students, he alleged.
"Many are not able to pay their tution fees and are on the verge of quitting schools," he said.
When the SC scholarship was looked after by the Department of Tribal Affairs, the scholarship amounts were disbursed to the students in time, he said condemning the Department of MOBC for their alleged failure.
The SC scholarship section/authority was separated from the Department of Tribal Affairs and merged with MOBC after a planned establishment of Directorate of MOBC & SC.
But, despite the release of list of staff for the new section, there has been no work to the effect, he claimed and added that the scholarship has been "denied" to the SC students as the "lone Deputy Director is not able to carry out all the works." Last year's scholarship has not been disbursed yet new forms have arrived for the ongoing academic session, he said and urged the authorities concerned to release the scholarship in the interest of the students.
Speaking to media persons, former Minister Ningthoujam Biren condemned the failure of the Government and the Department concerned in releasing the scholarship for the students.
The Centre and the State Government have taken up various schemes to uplift the schedule caste and other minorities and backward classes.
SC scholarship is one such scheme which assist the poor section of the people, the SC students in their study/education.
The Department concerned and the Government should not compromise the future of SC students.
SC Scholarship amounts should be released in time to aid the students and uplift them, he said.