JCC warns
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 20 2022: The Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC), an apex body of 13 CSOs and students' unions has warned of launching a series of democratic agitations, including bandh and blockades if the State Government doesn't entertain their demands within 10 days.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul today, JCC co-convener Chingdinliu Panmei decried that the State Government has been lending deaf ear to their demands which include proper functioning of Tribal Research Institute (TRI) .

She informed that the JCC had submitted two memoranda to the State Government pertaining to their demands but no positive response has been given by the latter as of yet.

The co-convener also maintained that the TRI didn't organize the annual State Level Tribal Festival for almost 5 years since 2018.Pointing out that the State Plan budget for TRI is very meager and not enough to run the institute effectively, she lamented that the institute has not taken up any initiative to increase its budget allocation.

Chingdinliu continued that the institute has also failed to tap enough funds from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the benefit of the tribal people in the State as the authorities concerned did not send DPRs and proposals for new projects to the Ministry.

Other points which she demands include offering free-coaching classes for engineering and medical entrance examinations and all levels of competitive examinations for STs and researching on tribal unsung heroes who fought for Indian independence.

The JCC co-convener went on to state that the authorities concerned have also failed to propose for recruitment of at least 15 Research Positions in TRI besides falling short in promotion of community/village level tourism.

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