Agartala, December 4, 2025: Raising concerns over the limited revenue capacity of northeastern states, Member of Parliament Biplab Kumar Deb has demanded that the central government bear the entire cost of pre- and post-matric scholarships for students from the region.

Deb argued that full central funding is essential to improve educational opportunities for tribal students in the Northeast. At present, the scholarships are provided under a cost-sharing arrangement between the Centre and the states.

Highlighting the financial constraints and challenging geography of the region, Deb said, “Given the economic limitations and adverse conditions in the Northeast, the Centre must take a more proactive role. Ensuring 100 percent funding and revising the scholarship amounts are urgent needs.”

He further sought clarification from the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry on whether there are plans to revise and increase scholarship allocations, which have remained unchanged since the 2019–20 financial year.

Responding to the demand, Union Minister Jual Oram stated that while the Centre currently covers 75 percent of scholarship costs in most states, it bears 90 percent of the expenditure in the Northeast, with the remaining 10 percent funded by state governments. “There is no proposal at present to shift the entire burden to the Centre,” Oram said.

On the issue of revising allocations, the minister added that there are no pending dues under the scheme, but the government has not yet considered increasing the scholarship amounts since 2019–20.