The Dhanamanjuri University Students’ Union (DMUSU) has warned of launching an agitation if the long-pending Non-NET Fellowship for research scholars is not released immediately, accusing the authorities of neglecting hundreds of PhD scholars despite years of delay.
Addressing the media at the DMUSU office, Union president Irom Dimocha said that since the establishment of Dhanamanjuri University, three batches of PhD scholars—2022, 2024 and 2026—have enrolled, with the total number of research scholars now standing at around 800.
He alleged that neither the Government of Manipur nor the university authorities have disbursed the Non-NET Fellowship or stipend to any of the eligible research scholars till date. The prolonged non-payment, he said, has placed scholars under severe financial strain, forcing many to continue their research without the institutional support to which they are entitled.
Dimocha described the delay as unacceptable and questioned the government’s commitment to promoting higher education and research, stating that research scholars cannot be expected to pursue quality academic work while being deprived of their legitimate financial assistance.
Warning of intensified protests, he said that if the competent authority fails to release the pending fellowship at the earliest, DMUSU, together with research scholars and students, will be left with no option but to launch a democratic agitation to press for the immediate fulfilment of their demands.
The Union urged the state government and the university administration to intervene without further delay and ensure the immediate release of the pending Non-NET Fellowship to all eligible research scholars.
