Summary: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has released the second and final installment of the Umbrella Post Matric Scholarship worth ₹130 crore for nearly 70,000 students for the 2024-25 academic year. The state government is funding the scholarship in advance to support students amid delays in central funds. Alongside this, the government is focusing on youth empowerment through various initiatives and plans to implement reforms for teachers soon.
Scholarship Disbursement for 2024-25 Academic Year
On Friday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma released the second and final installment of the Umbrella Post Matric Scholarship amounting to ₹130 crore, benefiting nearly 70,000 students for the 2024-25 academic year. The event took place at the district auditorium in Tura and was attended by Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui, Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal, and Director of Higher and Technical Education Hazel D B Sangma.
Addressing the attendees, CM Sangma emphasized that the state government is releasing the full scholarship amount from its own resources since funds from the Centre have not yet been received. This advance release aims to ease the financial challenges faced by students. Previously, rules did not permit such advance transfers, but the state has now coordinated with the Centre to enable early disbursement.
Once the ₹130 crore is transferred to Meghalaya Rural Bank, a few days will be needed for processing and account verification before students receive the funds. CM Sangma urged students to ensure their bank accounts are linked to Aadhaar to facilitate smooth transactions.
Government's Commitment to Education and Youth Empowerment
Education remains a top priority for the Meghalaya government. CM Sangma announced that reforms addressing long-standing issues faced by ad hoc and SSA teachers are nearing finalization and could be implemented in the next financial year.
Thousands of students joined the programme virtually from over 200 locations across the state. The Chief Minister also highlighted several youth-focused initiatives, including CM Elevate, YESS Meghalaya, PRIME, MGMP, STAR, and Hello Meghalaya, underscoring the importance of entrepreneurship and skill development for the state's growth.
Future Plans and Vision for Meghalaya's Youth
CM Sangma shared the government's long-term vision for Meghalaya's economic growth extending to 2047. Policies and programmes are being designed to position the youth as key drivers of this progress.
"You will be in the driver's seat to take us into that phase of 2047 where Meghalaya should become one of the best states in the country," he said.
Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui described the day as a "red-letter day" for students, marking the government's commitment to strengthening and expanding access to education. The programme was attended by heads of institutions, teachers, students, and education department officials, with around 7,000 students participating online.
