Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: The central government sent Rs 175.10 crore to Assam for the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Tribe students during the 2026-27 financial year. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey confirmed the transfer in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha MP Rwngwra Narzary requested the data while pushing for higher payment rates to offset rising education costs.
Funding levels shifted wildly over five years. Assam received Rs 10.93 crore in 2021-22, Rs 68.45 crore in 2022-23, Rs 35 crore in 2023-24, and Rs 79.71 crore in 2024-25. No money moved in 2025-26. The ministry cited an unspent balance and failed compliance requirements for that zero-dollar year.
The ministry explained that cash flows depend on state proposals. New plans are now in motion. The government proposed a payout hike for the upcoming 16th Expenditure Finance Committee cycle, covering 2026-27 through 2030-31. This update aims to "address the increasing cost of higher education and living expenses faced by Scheduled Tribe students." The Union Cabinet and Department of Expenditure must still sign off on the plan before any raises take effect.
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