BJP youth wing also joins demand for central scholarship

From a Reporter

SHILLONG, May 18: The demand to release the pending amount of Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme 2014-15 for the students of tribal communities of Meghalaya from the Central government has gained further momentum after the State Bharatiya Jata Yuva Morcha (BJP Youth Wing) also backed it.

It may be reminded that earlier the Khasi Students Union (KSU), Delhi unit, along with Vincent H Pala, MP from Shillong, apprised the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram on the hardship encountered by students from Meghalaya since the Central government has yet to distribute Post-Matric Scholarships for 2014-2015.

Addressing newsmen here on Wednesday, BJYM youth wing president Eugenstar Kurkalang informed that they have already sent a memorandum on the subject to the DONER Minister Jitendra Singh beside other departments.

“We have taken up this issue on account of the grievances confronted by the college students’ community of Meghalaya regarding the ibility of the concerned authority to distribute the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme of the year 2014-15 and 2015-16, entitled to the students belonging to tribal communities who are pursuing higher education within or outside their respective states,” he said.

He said around 80 percent of college students who studied within the state or outside the state who hailed from Meghalaya belongs to tribal communities and legally enjoys their rights and are entitled to receive the annual Post-Matric Scholarships scheme from the Union Tribal Ministry in the letter and spirit to promote the tribal students.

In a memorandum submitted to the Minister of State, Kurkalang said most of the students had approached the BJYM for help and sought clarification regarding the matter.