MTSAM Calls for Vigilance Inquiry into ST Pre-Matric Scholarship

Manipur Tribal Students’ Association Mumbai Calls for Vigilance Inquiry into 
Delays in Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST Students

New Delhi, July 24, 2014: The Manipur Tribal Students’ Association Mumbai has urged P.C. Lawmkunga, IAS, Chief Secretary-cum-Vigilance Commissioner of the Government of Manipur, to initiate a vigilance inquiry into the delays in implementing the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in Classes IX and X. They also seek clarification on the utilization of Central Assistance amounting to ₹8,29,70,200, released by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the year 2012-13 (to be disbursed in 2013-14).

The Association highlighted that the scheme, launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (GoI) in 2012-13, has been neglected by the Tribal Affairs & Hills department of the Government of Manipur until mid-November 2013-14, despite receiving information from Dr. Sadhana Rout, Joint Secretary to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, on September 10, 2012.

They called for the Chief Secretary's personal intervention to investigate why no proposals were submitted to the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs until mid-November 2013, regarding the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for ST students. The Association emphasized the need for a timeline to implement the scheme in Manipur.

According to a Manipur Scholarship Board notification dated January 2, 2014, an amount of ₹8,29,70,200 was sanctioned to the Government of Manipur for the payment of scholarships for ST students in Classes IX and X for the year 2012-13. The fund was allocated as follows: ₹1,00,00,000 as an adhoc release and ₹7,29,70,200 for the second installment of projected expenditure during 2013-14. The total amount is intended to support 27,112 students, including 12,700 hostellers and 14,412 day scholars.

The scholarship for hostellers amounts to ₹4,150 (₹350 per month for 9 months, plus a book and adhoc grant of ₹1,000 annually), while day scholars receive ₹2,100 (₹150 per month for 9 months, plus a book and adhoc grant of ₹750 annually).

Despite the Ministry of Tribal Affairs providing Central Assistance for the scholarships, the Association noted that no "Pre-Matric Scholarship Forms" were issued by the state Department of Tribal Affairs & Hills for the years 2012-13 or 2013-14, hindering the selection of beneficiaries.

The Association demanded a vigilance inquiry to determine how much of the Central Assistance has been utilized by the Government of Manipur, along with a detailed investigation into the identities of the 27,113 students. They also insisted that if any funds have been disbursed, the state Department of Tribal Affairs & Hills should clarify the selection process and publish the beneficiaries' list, including their school names and payment dates, on their official website (www.tahmanipur.gov.in) to allow tribal communities to verify the legitimacy of the candidates.

The Association criticized the state Department of Tribal Affairs & Hills for failing to advertise the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme and for only issuing application forms in 2014 for the academic year 2014-15. They expressed concerns over the potential misuse of the Central Assistance of ₹8,29,70,200, given that there were reportedly no applicants for the year 2012-13.

The group called for a thorough investigation into the administrative lapses and questioned whether the officials involved in the implementation of the scheme should continue in their roles, given their failure to support tribal communities. They stressed that thousands of ST students in Classes IX and X from 2012-13 and 2013-14 have been deprived of scholarships due to the negligence of the relevant authorities. They demanded accountability for the officials handling the scheme and urged the government to take action against those responsible for denying opportunities to thousands of ST students over the past two years.

Share: