DMU stipend row : Govt forms committee to explore avenues
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 16 2026: In a positive step aimed at addressing the demand for stipend being raised by research scholars of Dhanamanjuri University, the State Government has constituted a committee.

The committee, constituted yesterday under the chairmanship of the Director, University and Higher Education, has officials of the Finance Department, said an official notification of the Government.

The committee will "take a holistic decision on the subject covering aspects such as quantum of fellowship, period, eligibility, norms and other modalities", and it has been tasked to submit its recommendations within a period of 15 days.

Notably, this development comes amid increasing pressure on the Government to provide stipends of the research scholars of the university from different quarters including student bodies such as the All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) and Federal Students' Organisation, Kangleipak (FESOK) and others.

The students, research scholars of the university have been on strike for quite some time.

The students had launched different forms of agitation including a hunger strike.

It may be noted that the Dhanamanjuri University, yet to get UGC Section 12(B) recognition, is not eligible to receive financial grants including research funding.

During the recently concluded State Assembly session, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, while responding to a query, had said that the Dhanamanjuri University is likely to get the UGC Section 12(B) status soon.

He had stated that efforts including meetings with relevant authorities were on for the university to get the recognition.

Meanwhile, student bodies, AMSU and FESOK, in separate statements, stated that the State Government must take steps immediately to release the stipends of the research scholars.

AMSU stressed that as many as 792 research scholars of different departments of the 2022, 2024, 2026 batches have not been given stipends yet.

Research scholars require financial assistance, stipend to cover for field trips/work, laboratory work, and to attend National and international conferences among other works.

Without their stipends released, the research scholars of the university are unable to carry out many of the important and mandatory research works, FESOK said.

Supporting the research scholars' ongoing stir, AMSU and FESOK urged the Government and the related authorities to take up immediate steps to release the stipends.

The student bodies also urged the State Government to improve and enhance the university's infrastructure.

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