Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU), which has been asking the state government to disclose the SIT report on misuse of Post Matriculation Scholarship (PMS) funds, Wednesday made a final peal to the state government to release the report. SIT constituted to probe into the alleged misuse of PMS fund had submitted its report to the state government through the chief secretary on January 31, 2018. In a press release, ENCU president, M Longre Chang, and general secretary, WanGnei C Jessuhu, cautioned that the union was “ever ready” to lock the gate of directorate of higher education in the event the government failed to respond immediately.
In this regard, ENCSU has informed all the students to remain mentally and physically prepared “to fight for our right…”
The union asserted that there was no reason for setting up SIT or any other investigation team if its report was to be kept confined. Affirming that it was standing firmly to protect the interest of the student community, the ENCSU also reminded the former chief minister, former chief secretary and former secretary higher & technical education to remain in touch with the issue till it came to a close.
ENCSU also asked the present government to respond whether those involved in misuse of PMS fund and mismanagement of state government fund would be awarded punishment as per the law.
Meanwhile, ENCSU has expressed surprise that the department of higher education and the state government were confusing the Naga students on the release of scholarship.
The union also termed as “unfortunate” that finance department had to make alternative arrangements for scholarship. However, it said that there has been no response from department and the home commissioner on why it could not receive the final instalment from the central ministry.
Further, ENCSU sought to know how the department could adjust the first instalment of 2017-18 amount sanctioned from the central ministry for 2016-17 scholarship. It reminded that students’ scholarship was a scheme from the ministry of tribal affairs.
ENCSU has also appealed to all the Naga apex organisations to keep an eye on scholarship.