A five-member delegation of the Tipra Student Federation (TSF) on Monday met the Director of the Tribal Welfare Department, Subhasis Das, and formally submitted a deputation demanding the immediate release of long-pending scholarships for tribal students. The delegation raised serious concerns over the delay, emphasizing that thousands of eligible students across the state are yet to receive their scholarship funds for the 2024–25 financial year.
After submitting the deputation, TSF vice-president John Debbarma addressed the media and underscored the urgency of the matter. He said the delay in scholarship disbursement has pushed many economically weaker tribal families into hardship, as their children heavily depend on this financial support to continue their education. According to Debbarma, the prolonged inaction by the authorities has left students struggling to manage essential academic expenses such as tuition fees, books, transportation, and hostel charges.
“The delay in disbursement has left thousands of students in distress. Many families are unable to afford basic educational requirements, and the future of numerous tribal students now hangs in the balance,” Debbarma said. He reiterated that the Tribal Welfare Department must comply with the demand without further delay, as the scholarships are not a privilege but a right that students are entitled to receive on time.
TSF leaders also expressed disappointment over repeated assurances from the authorities that were not followed by concrete action. They urged the department to immediately initiate the necessary administrative procedures, ensuring that the pending funds are released at the earliest.
The organisation made it clear that the issue is not merely financial but affects the academic progression and morale of countless tribal students across the state. The TSF called for greater transparency and accountability within the department, warning that if the matter continues to be ignored, they will intensify their agitation to safeguard the rights of tribal students.
