The BJD, Jagatsinghpur has strongly resented cut in SC and ST students’ stipend and delay in payment of the amount by the Union Government.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, the party’s State SC and ST cell convener Bishnu Das said the BJP-led NDA Government at the Center has curtailed stipend amount of Dalit students soon after it assumed power in 2014 and, ironically, SC and ST children have not received stipend amount for the last two years. Nearly, two lakh Dalit students studying in colleges, professional courses and other higher education institutions have suffered immensely due to the Union Government’s negligence, he said.
“In spite of the State Government’s repeated reminders, the Union Government has not responded and, thus, we have planned to undertake a signature drive among the SCs/STs students across the State. A memorandum with signatures would be sent to the President,” he said.
Among others, BJD district president Amarendra Das, BCJD district president Bijaya Shankar Das, BJD block presient Manoj Bhoi, Minati Das, Dolagovinda Das, Madhusudan Sahoo, Dipti Das and Saroj Biswal were present.