SHILLONG/TURA, Feb 23: BJP vice president and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak has strongly criticised the state government for delaying the disbursement of scholarships to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, calling it a betrayal of their rights and privileges. In a sharp statement, Marak expressed concern over the continued hardships faced by students due to the State’s failure to fulfill its financial obligations.
“Denying scholarships to students in the state is a betrayal of their rights and rightful privileges,” Marak stated. He revealed that after inquiring with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs about the delay, he was informed that the Centre had cleared the list of beneficiaries submitted by the state on a priority basis. However, 90% of the scholarship funds provided by the Centre remain undistributed because the state has failed to contribute its mandatory 10% share.
“The Centre’s 90% contribution cannot be transferred to students’ accounts until the State releases its 10% share,” Marak explained. He criticized the government for its delay in finalizing the list of eligible students and for not releasing its portion of the funds, which has caused unnecessary confusion and deprived many students of their entitlements.
Marak also highlighted what he sees as a glaring contradiction in the state’s financial priorities. He pointed out that while the government has been deducting a 4% Cess on mobile recharges made by students every month, it has failed to allocate the required funds for scholarships.
“The state collects a 4% Cess tax on mobile recharges, amounting to crores of rupees. A single ST student who recharges Rs 300 per month ends up paying Rs 12 as Cess tax to the government,” he stated.
Marak questioned why, despite collecting substantial revenue from such taxes, the state has failed to release the crucial 10% share needed to process the scholarships. “How can the government not clear the 10% share on time? This remains a major question,” he remarked.
Appealing to the authorities, Marak urged the Chief Minister and the Education Minister to address the pressing concerns of ST students, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I humbly request the Chief Minister and the Education Minister to address the struggles of ST students, most of whom come from poor backgrounds,” he said.
Emphasiing the need for immediate action, Marak reminded the government of its electoral promise to prioritise education. “If education is truly the first priority, as promised during the elections, then the welfare of students must come first as well,” he concluded.
The delay in scholarship disbursements has fueled growing frustration among students and their families, increasing calls for the state to act swiftly and ensure that ST students receive their rightful entitlements without further delay.
