“OBC students have not been receiving scholarships for the past two years.”

During the tenure of the so-called “double-engine government,” ministers often claim that there is no shortage of funds and that no project comes to a halt due to lack of money. Many such statements are frequently made. However, the reality on the ground reflects a different picture. Even after the passage of two financial years, students belonging to the OBC community have not been receiving their scholarships. Due to non-receipt of scholarship funds, their studies are being adversely affected.

For this reason, the students have been regularly approaching the Director of the OBC Department with their demands. However, it is alleged that the director gives different explanations at different times. At times, students are told that there is no money and therefore scholarships cannot be disbursed, while at other times they are assured that they will receive their stipend within the next week.

On Monday, the deprived students met the Director of the OBC Department, Nirmal Adhikari, demanding payment of their stipends. Finding no consistency in the official’s statements, the students surrounded him and staged a protest. On the day, one female student said that they are not receiving their stipend money and that officials are citing a lack of funds in the department. This has left them deeply distressed. Due to non-payment of stipends, they are being affected in various ways, and the issue is disrupting their education.

Meanwhile, another incident occurred on Monday when OBC-enlisted students went to meet the director regarding their stipends. A staff member standing outside the director’s office was allegedly speaking rudely while chewing paan and gutkha. Spit from the paan and gutkha was reportedly landing on the students’ bodies, triggering strong resentment among them. The students expressed their anger and conveyed the matter in detail to the director.