Govt assures faster disbursement of scholarships for state students

SHILLONG, Jan 24: The Meghalaya government on Friday assured the Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) of measures to expedite the pending third instalment of the pre- and post-matric scholarships under the Umbrella Scheme for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students.
In a meeting between the government officials and members of the HYC’s Education Cell, the latter emphasised two key demands – prompt submission of utilisation certificates to the Ministry of Education every September and the establishment of a dedicated scholarship cell to oversee the process.
The Commissioner and Secretary of Education, Vijay Mantri acknowledged these concerns and committed to engaging with the Ministry of Education to resolve the outstanding issues.
The HYC welcomed the government’s assurances, stressing that sustained action is necessary to ensure students receive their scholarships without disruption.
Earlier, the HYC urged the government to address the recurring delays in disbursing scholarships, particularly the pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for ST students.
In a letter to Mantri, the HYC pointed out that these delays have been an ongoing issue, significantly affecting the students’ education. The organisation stressed that the timely release of scholarships is essential to prevent financial difficulties from disrupting students’ academic progress.
According to the HYC, a response from the Ministry of Education received through the Right to Information Act revealed that the late submission of utilisation certificates is a major reason for the delay in disbursing the scholarships. The ministry’s deadline for submitting these certificates is September every year.
The HYC urged the Education Department to strictly adhere to this timeline to ensure that scholarship funds are released on time.
Apart from addressing the immediate concern, the organisation recommended the creation of a dedicated scholarship cell in the Education Department. The proposed cell would focus exclusively on managing the scholarship process, ensuring greater efficiency and reducing administrative bottlenecks.
“By establishing a separate cell for scholarships, the department can prevent delays caused by officials handling multiple responsibilities. Additionally, this initiative would enhance coordination and communication among all stakeholders involved in the scholarship process,” the HYC stated.
The organisation emphasised that proactive measures are necessary to prevent disruptions in scholarship distribution in the future, ensuring that students receive their financial support without unnecessary delays.