Gujarat to release pending tribal scholarships; AAP seeks action on remaining issues

Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party MLA Chaitar Vasava on Thursday said the state government has agreed to submit pending post-matric scholarships for tribal students, following months of representations, protests and pressure from student groups and the AAP.

Vasava said the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, originally launched by the Central Government on 1 July 2010, had been discontinued by the Gujarat Government through a circular dated 28 October 2024. After the decision, “thousands of students raised strong demands,” he said, adding that he had submitted detailed representations before the Commissioner and Secretary along with students at Birsa Munda Bhavan and raised the issue in the Assembly, where he was suspended.

According to Vasava, despite repeated appeals, “the government remained adamant on its decision.” In June 2025, AAP warned of boycotting government admission programmes in tribal regions. Under pressure, the state issued a second circular on 24 June 2025, promising to reinstate the scheme. However, with funds still not released, students “continued to suffer severe hardships.” On 25 November 2025, Vasava met the Minister at Birsa Munda Bhavan and Swarnim Sankul-1, warning of a constructive agitation in Gandhinagar if the scholarships were not restored within 15 days.

Vasava said that Tribal Affairs Minister Nareshbhai Patel has now announced that the government will deposit the pending ₹460 crore post-matric scholarship amount for the year 2024–25. He welcomed the decision but urged the government to immediately resolve three remaining issues.

He demanded that individuals securing admissions or jobs using fake tribal certificates must be investigated and removed. He also called for abolishing the mandatory 40% merit condition for tribal candidates in recruitment and ensuring that all seats reserved for tribal candidates under the roster are fully allocated.

Additionally, he said the current food bill of ₹70 per day (₹2100 per month) in hostels of the Tribal Development Department is inadequate due to inflation, and must be increased from ₹2100 to ₹3000 to ensure nutritious meals for students.

Vasava said the government is expected to take “prompt and positive action” on these demands.