Student dues

NIRMAL MANGAR
Gangtok, Aug. 26: The state human resource development department has promised to immediately clear outstanding scholarships of Rs 3.8 crore accumulated over two academic years for school and colleges students.

Students eligible for meritorious and general scholarships haven’t been receiving the scholarships since 2009 because of the diversion of funds by the HRD department.

HRD secretary C.S. Rao said today that the state government had already released Rs 1 crore for the scholarships. ‘The government has agreed to sanction the rest of the amount (Rs 2.8 crore) at the earliest. The entire amount will be used to clear the dues of 2009-10 and 2010-11.”

Rao said scholarships for 2011-12 would be disbursed next year, as the HRD department would be receiving applications for the amounts from the students till the end of this year.

The HRD department has instituted different scholarships for students studying at primary (till Class V), elementary (Class VI to VIII) and secondary (IX to XII) levels. “For school students, the scholarships range from Rs 700 to Rs 1,200 per month. The money will be given to meritorious children as well as those students whose parents don’t have a combined monthly income of at least Rs 10,000,” said HRD joint director I.K. Chettri.

The scholarships for degree and post-graduate students vary from Rs 800 to Rs 2,000 per month depending on the course. “The merit scholarships at degree and post graduate levels are given to only those who secure above 70 per cent marks. The students whose parents’ income does not exceed Rs 10,000 a month will also receive the money,” said Chettri.