SHILLONG : The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) Students’ Wing on Monday met the Director of School Education and Literacy, B J Kharshandi, MCS, regarding concerns over the recently announced Uniform Grant.
Chairman of HITO Students’ Wing, Ïajanlang Sohtun, stated that although the Director’s office had issued a press release concerning the Uniform Grant, the notification was made on February 26 while the deadline for the grant was fixed for February 27, 2026 — leaving barely 24 hours for applicants.
He described the timeline as too short and urged the department to grant an extension so that parents are properly informed and given adequate time to apply.
Meanwhile, Balajied Jyrwa, General Secretary of HITO Shillong City, said the organisation had also received complaints from schools regarding the limited time frame and inadequate dissemination of information. He appealed to the department to ensure that future announcements are widely circulated through the press and media so that the public is properly informed.
Following the demand for an extension beyond the brief deadline, Director B.J. Kharshandi informed the delegation that a meeting would be held later in the evening to discuss the matter. He assured that further updates would be communicated through media channels.
The HITO Students’ Wing expressed hope that the department would reconsider the timeline in the interest of students and parents across the state.