The Bhutan Student’s Association in Kolkata has not received funds for the past three years.
Under a new funding system introduced in 2009, the fund has to be claimed event wise. It also requires the signatures of all the members and their respective colleges.
There are about 300 students studying in various colleges in Kolkata, India. They live and study far from each other. It is difficult to get all of them together to discuss the proposal and get their signatures.
“We have to get their signatures at least four times a year,” said Nima Tshering, the president of the Bhutanese student’s association in Kolkata.
Doley Tshering, an official from the Scholarship Division of the Department of Adult and Higher Education, said the Education Ministry is aware of the problems faced by the association in big cities.
“The Bhutanese students association in Kolkata has not submitted proposals after 2009. It is not only the association in Kolkata. There are other associations in other big cities. We release the funds purely based on the proposals submitted by them.”
The funding system was changed to streamline the fund allocation and use.
“With the proposal, members have to send a document signed by all the members. This is to ensure that all the members participate in the activities. That is why this is an activity based proposal.”
The Bhutanese student’s associations play an important role organizing activities to keep the students together and help each other during times of need.
As of December 2011, there are 25 registered Bhutanese Student’s Associations with more than 2,800 members in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Australia.
