Strike:Scholarship delay

Students of the Shillong Polytechnic on Tuesday staged a sit-in-demonstration to protest against the delay in releasing the scholarship for the year 2014-15 besides the problem of lack of facilities in the institute.

SHILLONG, APR 19: Students of the Shillong Polytechnic on Tuesday staged a sit-in-demonstration to protest against the delay in releasing the scholarship for the year 2014-15 besides the problem of lack of facilities in the institute.

“No solution, no retreat”, “We demand proper technology for a brighter future”, “We demand answer as to why the government delays the scholarship” – were some of the placards displayed by the students during the protest held at institute premises.

Over 500 students have been affected by the delay of the state government to release the scholarship, Shillong Polytechnic Students’ Union (SPSU) general secretary LD Malniang told reporters.

He said, “We protest as most of the students are coming from rural areas and poor family background in and are totally dependent on the scholarship for their education.” According to him, the pending scholarship amounts to Rs 50.10 lakh.

The students are from different trades which include – Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

It is learnt that each students pursuing computer science & engineering is entitle to get Rs 14,000 as scholarship.

When asked, Malniang informed that the union had approached the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Education RC Laloo and also Commissioner & Secretary DP Wahlang but to no avail.

“We were only told that the proposal has been sent to the planning department and is waiting for funds to be able to release the scholarship,” he said.

Further, the students have also demanded that the government allow conduct of special backlog examination on an even system besides providing up-to date books in the library and other facilities such as laptops and Wi-Fi.

“We want the government to provide opportunity to students to complete their back papers in the 2nd or 4th semesters. As of now, students are allowed to write their back papers only on odd semesters (3rd & 5th),” he said.

He also said that the library at present is running with outdated books which have hamper students’ performance adding the government should provide up-to date books in their interest.

Meanwhile, the union has also requested the government to include the institute in the next year Information and Technology Award.-By Our Reporter