Conflict-hit children get education aid

SHILLONG: The North Eastern Council (NEC) has launched a pilot project to sponsor the education of children affected by insurgency and other social atrocities.

The NEC has selected 23 students from all the north-eastern states to sponsor their studies and bear other expenses as well for the next five years. While there are three students from each state two have been selected from Sikkim. Income level of the families, to be eligible for the sponsorship, has been fixed at Rs 60,000 per annum.

The students will be sponsered from Class VI and all expenses will be borne by NEC till they complete Class X.

DoNER Minister BK Handique formally launched the project in the Assam Rifle Public School (APRS), Laitkor here on Saturday.

Lauding the APRS, Handique said, “These children who have been forced to face various social challenges require the guidance and support of such prestigious institution.”

Handique, also the NEC chairman, urged the APRS to make all possible efforts to build the future of the children.

“The NEC will bear residential fees, school fees, hostel fees, books expenses etc., of the students selected for the period of 2011-12 to 2015-16,” NEC Secretary UK Sangma said.

Total financial involvement of the project has been estimated at Rs 91,700 per child per year while the total expense would be around Rs 5.27 crore.

The first installment of Rs 15 lakh for the project was released on March 30 last.

Earlier, DGAR Rameshwar Roy lauded the NEC for coming forward and helping the Assam Rifles in its endeavor to provide opportunities to the students, especially the underprivileged, of the region.