ANCSU urges Nagaland government to enhance grant-in-aid for private and theological colleges, citing rising costs and infrastructure needs
DIMAPUR — The All Nagaland College Students' Union (ANCSU) has urged the state government to substantially enhance grant-in-aid for private and theological colleges, contending that the existing financial assistance is no longer sufficient to meet rising operational costs and sustain quality higher education.
In a representation submitted to the ex-officio director of Higher Education, the apex college students' body appealed for a comprehensive review of the existing grant-in-aid structure and an increase in financial support across all categories of private and theological colleges.
According to the union, the government currently provides an annual allocation of INR 2.65 crore under the Non-Development Budget for grant-in-aid to private and theological colleges. However, it pointed out that institutions receive varying amounts— INR 2 lakh, INR 1.5 lakh or INR 1 lakh—depending on their category.
It maintained that the existing assistance has become inadequate in view of rising expenditure on academic administration, infrastructure maintenance, technological advancement and student support services.
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The union stated that despite operating with limited financial resources, private and theological colleges continue to provide quality education, generate employment and contribute significantly to the state's human resource development.
However, the present level of financial assistance falls short of meeting their essential requirements and restricts their ability to strengthen academic programmes and institutional development, it added.
The ANCSU urged the department to fully utilise the sanctioned budget under the Non-Development head and revise the grant-in-aid allocation to better reflect the growing needs of higher educational institutions.
It asserted that strengthening private and theological colleges through increased government assistance would be a long-term investment in Nagaland's higher education sector and the future of its youth.