ATIPOM for separate budget for GTH, Hill Leader's Day
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 21 2022: All Tribal Indigenous Peoples' Organisation of Manipur (ATIPOM) has urged for earmarking of separate budget in the upcoming the Manipur Legislative Assembly session so as to achieve the real goal of the 'Go to Hills 2.0' and 'Hill Leader's Day' initiatives of the government.

In a release, ATIPOM president W Shinglai commended launch of 'Go to Hills 2.0' as it intends to bring the governance closer to the people by building friendly relationship with the public via rigorous development.

With reference to the recent inauguration of 30 projects at a total cost of Rs 37.34 crore in sectors such as public works, tribal affairs & hills, and health to mark the launch of the initiative, the president noted that through these outreach programmes, the state government provided equipment and support of Rs 51.52 crore to different departments, including agriculture, horticulture, health, social welfare and education.

Though captivating, the funding pattern for the programmes is incompatible in achieving the stated objective of 'Go to Hills 2.0', which is the terrible reality of the situation, the president maintained, while contending that programmes and initiatives of the government that lack financial autonomy and budget allocations remain on paper only.

Moreover, there is no additional funding and most importantly separate budget for the policy, which is a hindrance in the delivery of the programme's benefits.

This policy, introduced by the present administration under the leadership of chief minister N Biren as People's CM, would be rendered ineffective if funding is not commensurate with objectives, the organisation said and sought the CM's prompt intervention for accomplishing the aforementioned goals.

The Organisation also commended the 'People's Day ('Meeyamgi Numit')' and 'Hills Leaders' Day', flagship events held on the 15th and 10th of every month to provide the people a forum to voice their problems and propose suggestions.

It also supported the government's commitment to promote the harmonious development of the whole state, with a focus on bridging the emotional and developmental divide between hills and valley.

One such endeavour is the observance of 'Hill Leader's Day', a forum for tribal chiefs and hill-based civil society organisation leaders to discuss their issues, identify obstacles, and push for stronger hill-valley connections to promote equitable development, it conveyed.

Taking note of the ongoing effort to bridge the chasm between the hills and the valley, APITOM urged the government to explore all possibilities to make the programme a success.

It also suggested that the government plug the gaps of these flagship programmes in order to make them compatible with the goals of 'Go to Hills' .

In addition, the government must address the infrastructure deficit in the hills to bridge the developmental divide, with particular focus on health and education facilities.

It is imperative to peruse and implement the promised policies and projects to alleviate the developmental gap and mistrust existing between the hills and the valley, it further stressed.

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