Bernard N. Marak slams delayed scholarships and unpaid pensions, demands immediate clearance of all pending dues
Tura, October 14, 2026: Bernard N. Marak has expressed serious concern over the continued delay in the disbursement of Umbrella Scholarships for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students and the non-payment of pensions to elderly persons, persons with disabilities, widows and other eligible beneficiaries, stating that such delays undermine the very purpose of welfare schemes intended to support the poor and vulnerable.
In a press statement, Marak said the delays were not merely administrative issues but matters that directly affected students’ education, the dignity of elderly citizens and the livelihoods of disadvantaged sections of society.
He noted that the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had introduced and supported various welfare schemes to ensure that development benefits reached students, poor families and marginalised communities. However, he stressed that the effectiveness of these schemes depended on the timely and complete delivery of benefits to eligible recipients.
Highlighting the difficulties faced by ST students, Marak said the Umbrella Scholarship scheme was designed to ease the financial burden of admission fees, tuition fees and other educational expenses. However, he pointed out that many students were reportedly still awaiting their scholarship amounts, while some had allegedly received less than their entitled payments.
He observed that delayed scholarships defeated their intended purpose, as students and their families were often forced to borrow money or make significant sacrifices to pay college fees and meet other educational expenses while waiting for financial assistance.
“A scholarship delayed is not simply a payment delayed; it is an opportunity denied at the time when support is needed most,” Marak stated, calling on the concerned authorities to explain the reasons behind the pending payments and clarify when all eligible students would receive their full entitlements.
He also expressed concern over reports that pension payments for elderly persons, persons with disabilities, widows and other eligible beneficiaries had remained pending for months, with some cases reportedly approaching a year.
According to Marak, these pensions were essential sources of support for people who depended on them to meet basic needs, including food, medicines and other daily expenses. He said elderly citizens unable to earn a livelihood, widows supporting their families and persons with disabilities should not be forced to repeatedly visit government offices to claim benefits that were rightfully due to them.
He further stated that leaving beneficiaries without clear information or assistance undermined the purpose of social security schemes and placed additional hardship on people already facing financial difficulties.
Marak also called for serious scrutiny of reported irregularities, incomplete payments and possible pension-related scams. He urged the authorities to impartially investigate allegations of fraudulent claims, diversion or misappropriation of funds wherever evidence warranted, and take appropriate legal action against those found responsible.
Emphasising the need for accountability, he said the responsibility of government departments did not end with the sanction or release of funds. The authorities must ensure that the money reached the intended beneficiaries in the correct amount, without unnecessary delays or unauthorised deductions.
Marak urged the government and the departments concerned to immediately clear all pending Umbrella Scholarship payments for eligible ST students and release outstanding pension dues to eligible elderly persons, persons with disabilities, widows and other beneficiaries. He also called for a comprehensive audit of scholarship and pension disbursements, an effective grievance-redressal mechanism to help beneficiaries track their payments, and clear public information regarding pending applications and outstanding dues.
Furthermore, he stressed the need to fix responsibility for avoidable delays and irregularities and establish transparent procedures to ensure the regular and timely disbursement of welfare benefits in the future.
Marak said the welfare schemes supported by the Central Government must translate into tangible assistance for the people for whom they were designed. He maintained that the objective of empowering ST students through education and protecting vulnerable citizens through social security could not be achieved if payments remained pending or beneficiaries were left without answers.
He urged the authorities to act urgently, clear all outstanding dues, investigate credible allegations of irregularities and restore public confidence in the delivery of welfare benefits.
Concluding his statement, Marak emphasised that students should not have to jeopardise their education because of delayed scholarships, while elderly citizens, widows and persons with disabilities should not be left struggling for pensions intended to help them meet their basic needs. He said the poor and vulnerable deserved timely assistance, transparency and accountability rather than prolonged uncertainty over their rightful entitlements.