MTPRM reiterates seat allotment review demand
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 21 2011:
Movement for Tribal People's Rights, Manipur (MTPRM) has reiterated its demand for reviewing the government decision regarding allotment of vendor seats at the newly constructed Tribal Market sheds at New Lambulane.
In a representation submitted to the Chief Minister who is also in charge of Tribal Development and Hills, President of MTPRM S Ramhaoleng pointed out the seat allotment for the Tribal Market is to have been done on lottery system and the notification of the department announcing 30 percent (190 seats) for the local people, 10 percent (63 seats) for departmental, 3 percent (19 seats) for physically challenged/handicapped persons and 175 seats for tribal settling in the valley and 180 seats for the hill districts including ADC Kangpokpi would invariably mean that out of the total 636 seats, maximum number of 365 seats would go to the tribal settling in the valley.
There are about 33 different tribal communities in Manipur.
As such, the possibility of depriving opportunity to some minority tribal communities is high in case the lottery system is to be followed strictly without working out specific modalities for seat allocation based on accommodative policy for all tribal communities and their population so as to leave no room for feeling of discrimination, Ramhaoleng observed, while drawing the attention of the Chief Minister for reconsidering the seat allotment decision in the interest of all tribal communities.