NTPRADAO welcomes release of scholarship to ST students

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy, and Direct Action Organisation (NTPRADAO) has welcomed the state government’s move to release the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) for ST students for 2022-23.

In a statement, the NTPRADAO appreciated the “matured and holistic approach” of the state government in understanding the difficulties faced by students. It specifically thanked Minister for Higher Education Temjen Imna Along for addressing the matter.

The organisation said it no longer has a reason to stage protests outside the residence of School Education Advisor Dr. Kekhrie Yhome and Minister Imna Along. However, it cautioned the government to ensure the timely release of PMS for ST students in the future to avoid “unwanted turn of events”.

The NTPRADAO also commended the efforts of the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) for fighting for students’ rights. It thanked the union for coordinating with NTPRADAO to resolve the scholarship issue.

The statement, however, expressed confusion over the lack of intervention by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on the matter, despite it being a sensitive issue, and when even a “non-student and Dimapur-based NGO like NTPRADAO” was ready to protest in Kohima during the Christmas season over the issue.