TA & H Dept asked to halt schemes
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 05 2024: Demanding release of fund for different schemes under the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department (TA & Hills) from 2020 to 2024, Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs (FATYC), Manipur and Southern Tangkhul Students' Union (STSU) warned against issuance of application forms for availing benefits from schemes taken up by the department until release of the pending fund.

Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club Thursday, STSU president Yarchuiso Kashung said TA & H department shouldered immense responsibility for the welfare of tribal people of the state in the past but the department is almost defunct now due to lack of attention by the present government.

Service period of department's joint director cum DDO (Drawing and Disbursement Officer) lapsed on November 30, 2024 but government is eyeing to extend service period of the officer, he said.

According to Yarchuiso, the department is unable to provide Utilisation Certificate (UC) for schemes executed in between year 2020 and 2024 and even failed to produce lists of beneficiaries for different schemes initiated by the department particularly agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and housing sectors.

Amidst such administrative lapses, the department has started issuance of application forms for availing benefits under various schemes, he said and warned that no application forms should be issued before releasing pending funds.

Yarchuiso Kashung further said that the department is still unable to release scholarship amount for the year 2020 to 2024 thereby compounding hardships of the students.

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