Government advances Rs 130 crore to ensure no delay in post-matric aid; Aadhaar-linked accounts mandatory for beneficiaries
Tura, Nov 29: In a major push to support students without waiting for Central funds, the Government of Meghalaya on Saturday released Rs 130 crore as the second and final instalment of the Umbrella Post-Matric Scholarship for 2024–25, covering nearly 70,000 students across the state. The release was announced in Tura, attended by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, government officials and over 500 students, with thousands more joining online.
The Chief Minister said the state decided to pay the full amount from its own resources—well before the Centre’s share arrived—because students should not face delays caused by administrative or financial bottlenecks.
“Whether we receive funds from Delhi or not, we will not delay support for our students,” Sangma said, calling the move a demonstration of Meghalaya’s commitment to youth welfare.
Sangma outlined the disbursement process, explaining that the funds will be routed through Meghalaya Rural Bank and then verified by the NPCI before reaching student accounts. He stressed that Aadhaar linkage is mandatory, urging beneficiaries to update their bank details to avoid delays.
The Chief Minister said the advance release of scholarship funds is part of larger structural reforms undertaken since 2018 to eliminate chronic delays. Old-age pensions, disability pensions, ASHA honorariums and wages for master-roll workers—once plagued by long wait times—are now being released on schedule through advance provisioning.
Citing Meghalaya’s demographic profile—74% of the population below 35 and 50% below 20—Sangma said the state must invest aggressively in its young workforce, which grows by nearly 70,000 people annually.
“A young population is a blessing only if we prepare them well,” he said, urging students to stay focused and steer clear of distractions.
He showcased flagship programmes such as the STAR sports scouting initiative, which screened 24,000 children and identified 10 potential world-level athletes, and the government’s investment in the creative and concert economy, which ggenerated Rs 133 crore in local economic activity from Rs 23 crore in state spending.
Sangma also encouraged youth groups to access the YES Meghalaya scheme, which has already supported 1,638 organisations with Rs 6.26 crore, and assured teachers that long-pending reforms for SSA and ad hoc educators were in the final stages.
Earlier, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said the scholarship release fulfilled a commitment made by the Chief Minister to ensure students received the second instalment before Christmas. He noted that scholarship amounts have significantly increased in recent years—from earlier ranges of Rs 5,000–Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000–Rs 40,000 today.
Rymbui highlighted ongoing investments in higher education, including the expansion of Captain Williamson Sangma State University and the establishment of new colleges. He urged students to use the financial support responsibly and remain dedicated to their academic goals.
