Tribal bodies petitions PM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 31 2011:
Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs, Manipur and All Tribal Disables' Union, Manipur have submitted memoranda to the Prime Minister, demanding, among others, handing over the Tribal Development portfolio to a tribal legislator/representative.
Holding of the said portfolio as an additional charge by the Chief Minister of Manipur is a glaring example of violation of the Constitution, in letter and spirit, mentioned separate representations of the Federation and the Union addressed to the Prime Minister.
They also proposed that the posts of Commissioner and Principal Secretary concerning the subject be entrusted to tribal IAS officers with similar appointment regarding the port of Director in the Tribal Development and Hills Department.
It further claimed that funds allotted for welfare schemes of the tribals are being diverted to other sector thereby starving the targeted section of the society of what they deserved.
The memorandum, highlighting that tribal people of Manipur are economically marginalised also claimed that the Government of Manipur had been exploiting the tribals and demanded economic package to facilitate the tribal people of Manipur live as par with their peers settled in other States of the North East.