Centre sanctions Rs 94 crore for Meghalaya under post-matric ST scholarship scheme
The Centre has sanctioned Rs 94.03 crore to the Meghalaya government as its share under the Post-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribes scheme for the financial year 2026-27.
According to a sanction order issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on September 15, Rs 94,03,38,000 has been approved as a drawing limit for Meghalaya under the centrally sponsored scheme.
The amount has been sanctioned under the “Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribes” component (SLS Code: ML117) and will be charged to the budget of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs under Demand No. 100.
The ministry said the release was made as per the pattern of assistance approved by the Ministry of Finance and the rules governing the scholarship scheme.
As per the mechanism, Meghalaya will submit daily payment files for releasing the Central share against the available balance under the sanctioned head. After receiving the Central share, the state government will process payments through e-Kuber for releasing both the Central and State shares to the beneficiaries.
The ministry has directed the state government to use the funds only for the purpose for which they were sanctioned. Meghalaya will also have to submit an annual utilisation certificate in the prescribed GFR 12C format.
The sanction order said the accounts related to the grant-in-aid will be open for inspection and audit by the competent authorities, including the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Internal Audit of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The state government will also need prior approval from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs before making any changes in the allocation or carrying out reappropriation between different components or activities.
The sanction was issued under Rules 228 to 245 of the General Financial Rules, 2017, with the concurrence of the ministry’s Integrated Finance Division.