Meghalaya Government Advances Rs 130 Crore Scholarship for Students
In a significant move to support higher education, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday released the second and final installment of the Umbrella Post Matric Scholarship amounting to Rs 130 crore that will benefit nearly 70,000 students across the state for the 2024-25 academic year.
Scholarship Distribution and Key Attendees
The official program was held at the district auditorium in Tura, where the Chief Minister was joined by Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui, Commissioner and Secretary (Education) Vijay Kumar Mantri, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal and Director of Higher and Technical Education Hazel D B Sangma.
The event saw massive participation with thousands of students joining virtually from 200 locations across Meghalaya, while approximately 7,000 students participated online. The gathering also included heads of educational institutions, teachers, and officials from the education department.
State Government Bears Financial Burden
Addressing the audience, Chief Minister Sangma revealed that the state government was releasing the entire scholarship amount from its own resources since the funds from the Central government had not been received yet. "The decision to release the amount in advance was taken to ease the difficulties faced by students," Sangma explained.
He highlighted that earlier regulations did not permit the advance transfer of scholarships, but the state has now established a new mechanism with the Centre to enable early disbursement of funds to students in need.
Processing Timeline and Banking Requirements
The Chief Minister outlined the transfer process, noting that once the Rs 130 crore is transferred to Meghalaya Rural Bank, it will require several days for processing and account verification before students actually receive the money in their accounts.
He strongly urged all beneficiaries to ensure their bank accounts are Aadhaar-linked to facilitate smooth and timely transfer of scholarship funds without any technical delays or complications.
Education Reforms and Future Vision
Emphasizing the government's commitment to education, Sangma announced that reforms to resolve long-pending issues faced by ad hoc and SSA teachers are in final stages and could be implemented from the next financial year.
The Chief Minister also outlined the government's comprehensive vision for youth development, highlighting several key initiatives:
- CM Elevate
- YESS Meghalaya
- PRIME
- MGMP
- STAR
- Hello Meghalaya
"Entrepreneurship and skilling of the youth is critical for the state's growth story," Sangma stated, revealing that the government has planned economic growth strategies not just for immediate years but extending until 2047, with policies specifically designed to position young people as primary drivers of development.
"You will be in the driver's seat to take us into that phase of 2047 where Meghalaya should become one of the best states in the country," he told the student gathering.
Education Minister's Remarks
Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui described the occasion as a "red-letter day" for the student community in Meghalaya, marking the fulfillment of commitments made by the government to strengthen and expand access to education across the state.
The scholarship disbursement represents one of the largest educational support initiatives in Meghalaya's recent history, demonstrating the government's prioritization of education and youth empowerment as key pillars of the state's development strategy.
