TURA, Oct 20: Tura MDC and BJP vice president, Bernard Marak, has written to the Union Minister in charge of Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram seeking his intervention into the issues being faced by scheduled tribe residents of the region in obtaining scholarships for their studies.
In a letter to the minister, Bernard stated that students were being asked to get income certificates and affidavits from state authorities instead of the Autonomus District Councils (ADCs) which are actually the authorities of the STs in the region.
“The income certificate and affidavits issued by the Autonomous District Council should be accepted for the ST students rather than the documents issued by the state officials who represents the state (General category). Students have raised their grievances against the complications faced by them and unaffordable charges that have barred some from applying as most students come from very poor families,” stated Bernard.
He added that students also complained that their scholarship dues are pending since the past year and their calls are being ignored by the authorities.
“I urge you to look into this matter with urgency, acknowledging the constitutional facts and the grievances faced by the ST students and reply at the earliest. Documents like income certificate, affidavits etc issued by the MDCs/ADCs for ST students who are applying.
Lastly the state is not the authority of Schedule Tribes and should not compel our students away from their constitutional authority – the ADCs,” stated Bernard in his letter. The letter was sent on Sunday.
