Govt-MMWO talk ends on positive note
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 05 2018:
The final talk between Manipur Muslim Welfare Association (MMWO) and Government was held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat today and the tone of the dialogue came out on a positive note as the Government has given assurance for fulfilling many of the organization's demands apart from taking up several other measures for the minorities in the State.
Speaking to media persons at MMWO's office at Hatta today, the organization's president Phundreimayum Abdullah Pathan conveyed that the Government has assured to bifurcate the Directorate of MOBC in all aspects within one month and its required additional staff would be filled up quickly through deputation or contractual engagement.
He went on to say that the Government has also promised to form a SIT to probe the alleged malpractices in the implementation of various schemes from 2010 to 2017 by the MOBC Department and to take up appropriate actions against those found guilty.
It was also agreed that for the current beneficiary schemes, the selection would be done in a very transparent manner and the list of beneficiaries for the schemes would be displayed on the website of the Department.
It was also agreed that claims and objections will be invited for at least 10 days and the distribution of benefits will also be done through public functions near the location of the beneficiaries.
This would be done as per announcement of the Chief Minister for the administration to "Go to the villages", he said.
Expressing contentment on the outcomes of the talk, Abdullah Pathan described the meeting as a landmark achievement for the Meitei Pangals.
He lauded the Government for acknowledging the grievances of the Meitei Pangal community and taking up several initiatives for the welfare of the community.
Exuding confidence that the Government will translate its assurances into action without further delay, Abdullah Pathan also showed gratitude to the CSOs and to everyone who extended support to MMWO during its course of agitation.
It may be mentioned that MMWO has been carrying out different forms of agitation since the past many months.
In its most recent move, the organization imposed a 42 hour total shutdown of the State from the midnight of March 30, which was later called off the next day following the State Government's call to hold a talk to discuss the demands of the association.
Today's talk is the 2nd dialogue between the State Government and MMWO.
Apart from Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Works Minister Th Biswajit, MAHUD Minister Th Shyamkumar, Education Minister Th Radheshyam and Principal Secretary (MOBC) PK Singh represented the State Government during the meeting while a 10 member team of MMWO led by Phundreimayum Abdullah Pathan participated in the meeting.