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Minister for higher & technical education and tribal affairs Temjen Imna Along launches NGESSO in Kohima on October 30. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 30
The state government has earmarked a corpus fund of Rs. 5 crore for the purpose of an ex-gratia scheme for students studying outside Nagaland, called “Nagaland Government Ex- Gratia Scheme for Students Studying Outside Nagaland” (NGESSO).
Launching the scheme here today at the Directorate of Higher Education, higher & technical education and tribal affairs minister Temjen Imna Along said that NGESSO scheme should benefit Naga students of Nagaland who are indigenous and residents of Nagaland.
He assured that the scheme will be implemented effectively with ‘100% transparency.’
The minister informed that the scheme is the initiative of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and thanked him for allowing it to happen.
Temjen also assured the people of Nagaland and student community that the government is trying its best to bring inclusive change and inclusive growth for the people of Nagaland.
Taliremba, OSD to finance department said that thousand of Nagas are studying outside the state and many from well to do families but unfortunately majority of these students are from poor families.
There have been unfortunate instances of such students dying outside the state whereby the poor parents/family members had to scramble to mobilize funds to bring the death body to Nagaland.
This is a major concern of Naga society meriting intervention of the state government.
Rs 5 lakhs in case of unfortunate death of any student
The NGESSO is a scheme initiated and sponsored by Government of Nagaland under which the state government will provide a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs as one-time payment to the parents/families of the students in case of unfortunate death of any student while studying outside the state.
The financial assistance is to enable the distressed families to bring the mortal remains of the deceased students.
The scheme will be implemented by the department of higher education with effect from the year 2019-2020.
The nominee can claim the ex-gratia amount within a period of 2 (two) months after the death of the students by furnishing the required documents.
For implementation of the scheme, advertisement is to be issued from November 1, 2019. Last date for submission of NGESSO registration form is March 30, 2020 and uploading of NGESSO registration number in the department website will be done by August 2020.
Eligibility criteria for NGESSO scheme
The department stated that the scheme shall be eligible for students belonging to any recognized Scheduled Tribes/ Indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland state only and students who are admitted with a minimum duration of 1 year course in any recognized institutions outside the state of Nagaland but within India only.
The scheme is for students pursuing studies from Primary level till Post Doctoral courses and those pursuing studies in secular / technical professional/diploma/theology courses etc.
It is eligible for students who have registered their names and details under the office of Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Nagaland: Kohima and also students who have nominated the name and details of their nominee for claims of the Ex-Gratia Scheme during registration.
It stated that students residing in Nagaland and pursuing correspondence distance education courses outside the state are not eligible for this scheme.
