HYC demands govt to address delays in disbursement of scholarships to students

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 24, 2025

The education cell of the Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) on Friday sought the state government’s intervention into the annual delays in the disbursement of Scholarships for students in our state, particularly the pre- matric and post- matric scholarships under the “Umbrella Scheme” designated for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) students under the relevant scheme.

In a letter to the Commissioner & Secretary of Education Vijay Mantri, the HYC said these delays have been a persistent issues adversely affecting the educational pursuits of many students in the state. The timely release of scholarships is crucial for ensuring that students can continue their studies without financial hindrance.

“Our recent inquiry under the Right to Information (RTI) Act from the Ministry of Education has revealed that a significant factor contributing to these delays is the late submission of Utilization Certificate to the Ministry of Education. The Ministry has set a clear deadline for the submission of these certificates, which is typically in September each year. It is imperative that the state adheres to this timeline to ensure the timely release of funds for scholarships. We urge your esteemed department to prioritize the submission of these certificates to avoid any further delays in the disbursement process,” it said.

“In addition to addressing the immediate issue of delays, we strongly propose for the establishment of a dedicated scholarship cell within the Education Department. This cell would be responsible for overseeing the entire scholarship process independently, ensuring that it operates efficiently and effectively,” the HYC said while adding that by establishing a special cell focused solely on scholarships, the department can minimize the risk of delays caused by officials being burdened with unrelated responsibilities. This dedicated cell will also improve communication and coordination among various stakeholders involved in the scholarship process, it added.