Public meeting held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 12 2017:
A public meeting on the various developmental works and projects taken up by the Manipur State Minorities Commission (MSMC) was organised at Ningomthong Sairom Leirak community hall today by the All Manipur Buddhist Association as well as the Christians living in the area under the aegis of MSMC .
MSMC chairperson Dr Syed Burhanuddin, Ichel Express editor Ahongsangbam Mobi, MSMC members Dr Ven Panthaw Paa and Reverend Mutum Ranjit attended the event as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively .
Speaking at the event, Sr Ven Panthaw Paa pointed out that minorities included communities consisting mainly of workers and wage earners in the past but after the National Minority Commission Act was passed in 1992, religious minorities were also included in the category as well .
Now, Islam, Christian, Sikh, Buddhism and Parsi are often regarded as minorities and Jain was also added in the year 2006.Manipur State Minorities Commission Act was also introduced in the year 2010 and now Islam, Christian and Buddhism are recognised as minorities in the State .
Explaining about the various developmental works taken up for minorities in the State, Dr Ven Panthaw Paa said that Rs 380 lakh was sanctioned for socio economic development programme in the year 2016-17 and from that fund, Rs 170 lakh was for minority and another Rs 170 lakh was for OBC .
Rs 70 lakh was sanctioned for skill development programme, Rs 200 lakh for Madrassa development, Rs 35 lakh for State Haj Committee and Rs 24 lakh for MSMC .
Moreover, Rs 300 lakh was sanctioned for housing schemes, Rs 80 lakh for pre and post matric coaching and 15 percent of the State budget for Multi Sectorial Development programme.
He stated that the meeting has been organised to spread awareness and clear any doubt regarding the utilisation of the various funds sanctioned for the minority and further urged the people concerned to approach the Commission for any complaint or feedback.