The state BJP has indirectly accused Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma of misleading the public over the delayed disbursement of scholarships. The party said that while the hold-up stems from the state’s failure to fulfil its obligations, the blame is being unfairly shifted onto the Centre.
According to the BJP, the Chief Minister’s attempt to pass the buck to the central government is nothing more than a smokescreen to hide the state’s inefficiency — particularly its repeated failure to submit the mandatory 10% contribution and the finalised list of beneficiaries, without which the Centre cannot release the remaining funds directly to students’ accounts.
Earlier, Sangma blamed New Delhi, claiming the delay was due to the Centre’s failure to release funds on time. But the BJP isn’t buying this excuse. “That is what they are saying, but who is responsible for submitting the names of the beneficiaries and the 10% contribution? It’s the state’s job. I have repeatedly asked the government whether they are submitting their share on time, but there is only silence,” state BJP vice president Bernard N Marak said.