Council slams State Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 05 2014 : The Council of Tribal Language and Literature Societies has slammed the Govt for allegedly neglecting to promote recognised tribal dialects of the State.

Speaking to reporters today at Manipur Press Club, Chairman of Council of Tribal Language and Literature Societies, Ragongning Gangmei said that even as there is provision under the RTE Act, 2009 for providing education in mother tongue to children till primary level, the State Govt has failed to appoint teachers to teach recognised tribal dialects.

Manipur is inhabited by 35 recognised colourful communities.

Among many tribes, 13 tribal dialects are appended recognition by the State Govt.However, the Govt does not bother to appoint teachers to teach children in recognised tribal dialects, Ragongning said.

No budget has been allocated by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur and Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur for the promotion and development of tribal languages, he said.

Pointing out that only Rs 1 lakh has been sanctioned for purchasing books in tribal dialects by the Education dept, Rangongning contended that such steps of the Govt are against the interest of tribal people.

Although a dialect officer has been appointed in the Education Directorate, the same has become nerveless due to non-allocation of fund, he said.

Speaking at the press meet, President of Paite Literature Society, John K Ngaihte pointed out that giving mother tongue education to minority students is among the State subjects.

As such, the State is responsible for appointing language teachers, setting up of language academy and promotion of minorities dialects.

Alleging that the State Govt has shown more interest in English, Hindi, Manipuri, Meetei Mayek, John Ngaihte lamented that the State Govt has shown no interest in promoting tribal dialects.

Therefore, tribal are deprived of mother tongue education.

A Kholi of Mao Academy said that application seeking approval of Liangmei dialect was submitted in 1998 which was fulfilled only in 2013 along with Gangte and Poumai dialects.

This shows that the Govt takes 14/15 years to append recognition to tribal dialects.

President of Vaiphei Literature Society, Hemjagin Vaiphei said that the Govt appended recognition of Thadou, Kuki, Mizo, Hmar and Paite in 1975 .

However, no teachers to teach the languages were appointed till date.

Again in 2011, a proposal of Tribal Languages Policy of Manipur was submitted to the Govt.The same has been kept in cold storage.

Various tribal leaders were present during the press meet.

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