Agartala, March 2: Thousands of students from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in Tripura are facing uncertainty as the centrally sponsored Post-Matric Scholarship for 2024–25 remains largely unpaid. The delay sparked protests in Agartala on Monday, with affected students and parents demanding immediate release of funds.
The scholarship scheme provides monthly stipends, maintenance allowances and tuition fee reimbursements to financially weaker OBC students from Class XI onwards, including those enrolled in polytechnic, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in both professional and non-professional streams.
According to reports, of nearly 27,000 eligible beneficiaries in the state, around 6,000 students are yet to receive their stipends. Many of them are pursuing higher education outside Tripura. The delay has reportedly left several students unable to pay tuition fees, with some colleges barring them from attending classes or appearing in semester examinations.
Aggrieved students and parents gathered outside the OBC Welfare Department office at Gorkhabasti and submitted a memorandum, alleging repeated assurances without disbursement. “We have not received stipends for 2023–24 and 2024–25. For months we have been given new dates. Colleges are stopping us from sitting for exams,” said one protesting student.
Parents echoed similar concerns, stating that many families depend entirely on the scholarship to sustain their children’s education. Some alleged that deadlines cited by the department, including late February, passed without funds being credited.
Department officials reportedly informed the gathering that officers are in New Delhi to address the issue. They said the state government’s 10 per cent share has been released, while the remaining amount is pending at the central level.
With semester examinations underway, students say continued delays could jeopardise their academic year, raising questions about coordination and timely implementation of welfare schemes.
