Dimapur, June 17 (MExN): In what looks like political will to address lapse in the Education Department of Nagaland, Chief Minister of the State, Neiphiu Rio, has intervened on behalf of students from Sainik School, Punglwa who have not received their grant-in-aid from the Department.
“I had approved in a file of Education Department for release of Rs. 2.19 crore for clearing scholarship for the students of Sainik School, Punglwa which was to be sanctioned during 2012-13,” wrote Rio in a note received here today, also sent to Nagaland’s Chief Secretary and Commissioner & Secretary, School Education. “It was brought to my notice few days back that grant-in-aid to Sainik School during the financial year 2012-13 was not provided and that the students could not clear their dues leading the Principal of the School threatening the students not to come to the school unless the fees and other dues are cleared.”
Maintaining that this has put both the students and parents in jeopardy, the CM stated that his office had to interfere with the school authority not to take drastic measures, ensuring them that the grant-in-aid from the Government will be released soon.
The non-release of the grant-in-aid by the Education Department that meets the scholarship requirement of the Sainik School, Punglwa every year has been termed a “serious lapse” by the Chief Minister. Rio points out that not only was the provision not made in 2012-13, but it has not been made even in the current financial year.
Seeking an explanation from the Education Department for this “failure”, the CM has said, “This should be taken care by the Department. I wish such avoidable actions be avoided in future.” He has also asked for the provision to be made in 2013-14 which should be brought up at the State Planning Board meeting on June 18.
