In a massive pre-Christmas initiative, the Meghalaya government has brought festive cheer to thousands of tribal students across the state by disbursing substantial scholarship amounts directly to their accounts.
Christmas Gift Reaches 70,683 Beneficiaries
The state administration distributed Rs 126.28 crore as the second and final installment of the Umbrella Post Matric Scholarship for the current academic year 2024-25. This financial support reached an impressive 70,683 Scheduled Tribe students who are pursuing higher education across various institutions.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma personally oversaw the scholarship distribution during a special event held in Tura on Saturday. The ceremony saw significant participation with Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui and several senior education officials joining the CM to formally release the funds.
Advance Payment Despite Central Funds Delay
In a remarkable display of commitment to student welfare, the Meghalaya government took the exceptional step of releasing the entire scholarship amount in advance. This decision came despite the state still awaiting fund disbursement from the Union government, demonstrating the administration's priority on education support.
CM Sangma had previously announced this initiative through social media on Friday, describing it as "an early Christmas gift to our students, as promised". The timing couldn't have been better for recipients who can now utilize these funds during the holiday season.
Overwhelming Response to Distribution Event
The scholarship distribution ceremony witnessed massive participation from students across Meghalaya. While over 500 students attended the Tura event in person, thousands more joined the proceedings through online platforms from various locations across the state.
Expressing his satisfaction with the initiative, Chief Minister Sangma stated, "Proud to keep our promise and empower our students on their journey towards a brighter future." The sentiment echoed the government's commitment to educational advancement, particularly for students from tribal communities who often face financial barriers in pursuing higher education.
The Umbrella Post Matric Scholarship scheme continues to play a crucial role in supporting ST students' academic aspirations, ensuring that financial constraints don't hinder their educational progress. This substantial disbursement just before Christmas has undoubtedly brought both financial relief and seasonal happiness to thousands of families across Meghalaya.
