GUWAHATI: Students under the GoI-PMS (Government of India-Post Matric Scholarship) scheme of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) here have kept their agitation on hold till Monday after submitting a modified charter of demands for consideration and seeking a written assurance from the administration.
The association had been staging the agitation on and off its Jalukbari campus since January 17, demanding complete fee waiver for SC, ST and OBC (GoI-PMS) students besides implementation of National Commission for Schedule Tribe recommendations and a mechanism for affordable education.
“We are keeping the agitation on hold till Monday. We have had few rounds of discussion with the administration and come up with a modified charter of demands which has been submitted to the institute’s administration,” M. Wangsu, member of the association, told The Shillong Times on Thursday.
While the demand to waive off dining and hostel fee remains non-negotiable, the association pressed for a written assurance duly signed and in accordance with an agreement with the deputy director (acting), that TISS “would not compel any student to leave the institution owing to financial shortcoming”.
“The charter also includes demand for alternative monetary aid for those failing to avail of the student aid fellowship for non-ST/SC students. The aid along with government scholarship and money generated by the joint scholarship committee should waive off all educational, hostel and dining hall fees of students admitted to the institution under GOI-PMS category,” he said.
The association further wanted the administration to put in efforts to generate a fund from the government to implement the National Commission for Schedule Tribe recommendations.
“We also want TISS to provide the GOI-PMS students original certificates of convocation upon graduation. The association will support the administration in its endeavour to mobilise funds,” he added.