For the session 2020-2021, TFM found that just 478 students belonging to SC have been selected for the first phase of post-matric scholarship. Selection list of the remaining OBC, SC, EWC students for pre and post matric scholarship has not been notified yet
By Naorem Tanoranjan
As the people of the state reels under the prevailing situations induced by COVID-19 pandemic, the non-payment of scholarship for 2021 is adding woes to the pandemic-ravaged student communities.
The situation has become more worrying for the students of Manipur University as the examination form submission and admission has to be done by July-end. The students said that they hoped the scholarship would help them financially as the pandemic has hit the financial condition of their families. Now, they want the concerned authorities to extend the deadline for submission of examination form and admission.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, the pre matric and post matric scholarship schemes are awarded to selected students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC) and Schedule Caste (SC) students. Students applied through the Online Scholarship Management System (OSMS) and a list of selected students was then announced. The amount is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the students, usually before the session ends.
For the session 2020-2021, TFM found that just 478 students belonging to SC have been selected for the first phase of post-matric scholarship. Selection list of the remaining OBC, SC, EWC students for pre and post matric scholarship has not been notified yet. Moreover, for the session 2019-2020, there are still some remaining phases for which the scholarship has not been awarded. This has become a major concern and the students are disappointed.
The pandemic has affected the economic activities of the parents of most of the students who used to support their wards financially. Before the pandemic, the students used to earn some amount through tutoring and other activities. So, during such a hard time, they were hoping the scholarship amount would at least be enough for the form fill-up and admission. The university, on the other hand has to start the process so that the timeline of next session is not affected.
Some students also pointed out that even though the Masters course is about to be concluded for students enrolled in 2019, the second phase of the scholarship for 2019-2020 is yet to be awarded.
Speaking to TFM on the matter, Manipur University Students Union (MUSU) general secretary Kangujam Nareshkumar acknowledged that the students of the university are facing hardships and the non-sanctioning of the scholarship has added woes. Maintaining that MUSU has been demanding the early release of the amount, he said that on June 24, the student body met the office of the scholarship scheme. Although the officer assured to issue the list of selected students, it has yet to be materialized, he lamented.
Stating some students are facing hardships in recharging for data for the purpose of online classes, he urged the state government to release the amount at the earliest.
He said that MUSU submitted a letter to the registrar of the university on July 17 raising the issue to relax the deadline of both the admission and examination form submission in view of the ten-day total curfew. Other issues like refund of field trip amount for those departments which did not go, refund or deduction of lab fees for admission in included departments, and deduction of examination fees for 4th semester students were also raised. He hoped the concerned authorities would understand the woes of the students.
It may mentioned that other student bodies including All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organisation (AMMSO), amongst others, have been raising the matter to the authorities.