Govt order perturbs tribal student bodies
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, November 16 2019: The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM), Kuki Stu- dents' Organisation, General Headquarters (KSO GHQ) and All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) said that they are perturbed by the order issued by the Finance Department on November 13, putting a blanket ban on encashment including Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students for the academic year 2018-19 .

In a joint press statement, ATSUM, KSO-GHQ and ANSAM said that they would be "compelled to launch an agitation in the hills of Manipur from November 20 if encashment order is not issued for early disbursement of post matric scholarship for those studying outside Manipur in due course of time".

According to the three hill based student bodies, the first instalment for post matric scholarship for ST students had been disbursed 4/5 months back.

The second instalment meant for those studying outside Manipur including colleges in the hill areas of Manipur are now under the cover of blanket ban as per the order issued by the Finance Department, they pointed out.

"There are hundreds of students who entirely depend on scholarship for the college fee, examination fee and so forth and being conditioned to pay necessary fees before the semester examinations, many students will be debarred from appearing their examinations," the joint press communique of KSO-GHQ, ATSUM and ANSAM added.

According to ATSUM, KSO-GHQ and ANSAM, the second instalment amounting to Rs 28 crore had been sanctioned by the ministry in the month of September, and "thus disbursement of the same was expected in the month of October", the three student organisations also said.

"Unfortunately, instead of issuing encashment permission, the state Finance Department has issued an order banning encashment including post matric scholarship for ST which is unjust, wanton and reckless", they added.

"Taking serious note of sheer negligence shown to the student community, a time line is issued in the greater interest of the student community," the statement said.

According to the three student bodies, the joint charter of demands of the three tribal student organisations agreed upon on August 13, 2019 is also expected to materialise as per the timeline agreed upon in writing.

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