Court admits PIL on post-matric scholarship delay
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 06 2023:
The Manipur High Court has admitted a PIL filed by Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) in connection with the delay in disbursing the post-matric scholarships to students of the state.
Addressing media persons at its Kwakeithel office, here, on Monday, DESAM secretary general Mayengbam Somorjit Meitei said that Manipur is a poor state where students are pursuing their studies and trying their level best to compete with others at national and international level.
Considering the problems faced by students from poor families, the government launched scholarship programmes for the OBC, ST, SC and economically weaker sections so as to provide financial assistance and help in pursuing their studies.
However, these scholarships are found to be kept undisbursed for a long time thereby creating problems to the students who are in need of the scholarship funds, he said, while adding that the OBC Post Matric Scholarship 2021-22 has not been disbursed to the deserving students till date.
Maintaining that deprivation of the scholarship to students is equivalent to denial of right to education which is included in the Indian Constitution, the DESAM general secretary stated that the PIL has been filed against secretary MOBC and SC, principal secretary (Finance), directorate of Minority and Other Backward Classes, ministry of Social justice and empowerment secretary and Social Justice and Empowerment director, by DESAM president Leishangthem Lamyanba and himself as petitioners.
He further informed that the Manipur High Court considering the nature of the appeal has admitted the PIL and proceedings initiated.
He also appealed to authorities concerned to ensure that the scholarships of the students are provided timely to the students.