Shillong, Mar 2: The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) has raised concerns over the lack of adequate public notification about the uniform Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.
In a letter addressed to the Director of School Education & Literacy, the organisation emphasised the need for clear communication and reasonable deadlines to ensure effective implementation of the scheme.
The organisation said that without proper awareness, stakeholders and beneficiaries may miss out on crucial opportunities the scheme offers.
HITO student’s wing chairman Iajanlang Sohtun said that no formal public notification, advertisement, or widely circulated circular was issued by the Directorate of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) regarding this important welfare initiative.
“Instead, information appears to have been disseminated primarily through a YouTube channel titled “Education Dept, Meghalaya,” which has limited outreach. Such a mode of communication is grossly insufficient for a statewide scheme intended to benefit thousands of students, particularly those from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds,” he said.
He said equally concerning is the extremely short application window — reportedly open for only 24 hours, from February 26, 2026 to February 27, 2026.
He said this timeframe is unreasonable and practically excludes many eligible beneficiaries who were unaware of the scheme due to the lack of proper public notice.
Stating that a welfare measure cannot be treated as a closed-door announcement, he said that the failure to ensure adequate publicity and a fair application period raises serious questions about transparency, accessibility, and equitable implementation.
“Students and families who rely on such assistance must not be deprived due to administrative lapses or inadequate dissemination of information,” he added.
HITO further demanded the immediate extension of the deadline for submission of details under the uniform grant scheme, issuance of a formal public notification through newspapers, official websites, schools, district offices, and other widely accessible platforms.
They also said that a clear explanation should be given from the Directorate regarding the rationale behind the limited publicity and compressed timeline.
“If these concerns are not addressed promptly, we will be compelled to pursue appropriate democratic measures to safeguard the rights and interests of students across Meghalaya. Welfare schemes must be implemented in a manner that ensures fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all eligible beneficiaries,” the organisation stated.
