NTPRADAO threatens protest over delayed scholarship disbursement

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy, and Direct Action Organisation (NTPRADAO) has expressed concern over the delay in disbursing the second installment of the centrally sponsored Post Matric Scholarship for ST students in Nagaland for the year 2022-2023.

In a press release, the NTPRADAO stated that the PMS commits 100% central assistance, implying that the state government bears no financial burden and bears no liability. The NTPRADAO also inferred that the scholarship benefits are meagre.

It said that for Group IV, including senior secondary students (both general, vocational, and ITI students), the monthly amount is a mere INR 230 for day scholars and INR 380 for hostellers. Similarly, for Group-I, encompassing M.Phil. and Ph.D. scholars, Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science students, the monthly amounts are only INR 550 for day scholars and INR 1,200 for hostellers.

In practice, it works out to INR 2,760 per student per year for Group IV and INR 6,600 per student per year for Group I, according to the statement.

The NTPRADAO claimed that the state government is profiting from accumulated interest on the scholarship fund, which is held in civil deposit by the Finance department.

Furthermore, the NTPRADAO announced that it plans to initiate dharna in front of the official residence of the Advisor for School Education, Dr. Kekhrie Yhome, starting from December 22 until the disbursement of the PMS.

The organisation also committed to deploying an additional 50 members in collaboration with the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU), which has decided to engage in democratic protests after December 22.

Also read: ANCSU appeals for early release of pending scholarship