FATYCM against merger of Dept of SC with Tribal Affairs
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, September 16 2014:
Saying that the Department of Tribal Affairs & Hills has already shouldered a heavy responsibility, it is not a wise policy of the Manipur Government to merge the Scheduled Castes Department with the former and hence the order to this effect should be reviewed, the FATYCM has urged the Deputy Chief Minister on Tuesday.
In a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, the Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs, Manipur (FATYCM) said since the Department of TA & Hills has become a 'dumping ground' for the Department of SCs, all the works and responsibilities of the tribal affairs and hills will be now seriously disrupted because of the additional task.
The Principal Secretary (TA & Hills) issued an order dated July 11, 2014 pursuant to the Manipur Cabinet decision taken on January 2 this year to transfer the Scheduled Castes Department, which was earlier with the Directorate of MOBC, with the Department of TA & Hills, the memorandum to Gaikhangam, who also holds the charge of TA & Hills, said.
Department of TA & Hills has already been shouldering a heavy responsibility, the memorandum said, adding this department handles Works, Horticulture, Agriculture, Fisheries, veterinary, health, Education and Sports.
It claimed that the Cabinet decision to transfer the Department of Scheduled Castes to the Department of TA & Hills did not obtain prior approval from the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), which is one of the important groups to be consulted in taking up any developmental work or implementing any welfare scheme for the tribal people of Manipur.
FATYCM urged Gaikhangam to review the order in the larger interest of the Scheduled Tribes community, suggesting that the Government should set up a separate department for the SCs.