By TC News Desk
Agartala, August 08: The state committee of the Students Federation of India (SFI) and the central committee of the Tribal Students Union (TSU) jointly submitted a deputation to the Director of the SC Welfare department on Tuesday, outlining crucial demands for the welfare of scheduled caste students.
The primary focus of the deputation was to seek regular and timely payment of all stipends under the Scheduled Welfare Department. The student groups emphasized the urgency of disbursing stipends to avoid financial hardships faced by students in paying their college fees promptly.
SFI state secretary Sandipan Deb, expressed disappointment over the non-disbursement of stipends to scheduled caste students, highlighting the department’s failure in this regard. He accused the department of displaying a pattern of negligence, which has made it challenging for students to meet their college expenses on time, leading to additional penalties.
The student groups further urged the authorities to increase the stipend rate by a minimum of 25 percent, recognizing the rising costs of education and living expenses. They also advocated for enhanced study opportunities for various professionals under the Scheduled Welfare Department, seeking to promote higher education and skill development within the scheduled caste communities.
Deb, on behalf of SFI, asserted that all stipends must be settled by the 10th of this month, easing the financial burden on students and enabling them to pursue their education without hindrance.
The TSU general secretary Sujit Tripura, and other representatives were also present during the delegation to support the demands made by the student groups. The submission of the deputation signals a collective call for urgent action to address the needs and aspirations of scheduled caste students, emphasizing the significance of inclusive education and equitable opportunities for all.
The Director of the SC Welfare department has assured the student groups that their demands will be given due consideration, promising to work towards resolving the issues at the earliest. The authorities are now under heightened scrutiny as they navigate the responsibility of ensuring a conducive educational environment for all students.
