CM affirms aid to deceased IDP, camp caretakers
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 05 2024: Chief minister N Biren Singh has said that hospitals have been instructed to bear food, drinking water and other expenses for two caretakers of patients currently residing in relief camps as and when they are admitted to government hospitals for treatment.

Opposition MLA K Ranjit moved a Calling Attention motion during Monday's session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly drawing attention towards alleged refusal by the district administration to provide expenses for performing last rites of an elderly displaced man who died at a relief camp.

He also informed the House that the last rites of the deceased had been performed with contributions from public as the district administration refused to provide any financial assistance.

In his reply, CM Biren said that the deceased identified as Aheibam Ibotombi was 73 years old and expressed his regret over demise of the displaced person at a relief camp.

He said that the government has to follow certain process in providing financial assistance without which immediate financial assistance cannot be made.

Deceased Ibotombi's family was made to submit an application to the district administration on July 18 at 3.30pm and financial assistance amounting to Rs 11,000 provided to the family on July 19 at 11am to perform the religious rituals.

Regarding the report published by a local daily regarding Ibotombi's demise and last rites ceremony, CM Biren informed that the relief committee concerned had clarified through the media that it did not seek financial assistance before the last rites.

He further informed that some media houses have been publishing exaggerated news reports since the beginning of the violence on May 3, 2023.According to CM Biren, more than 6,000 youths staying in relief camps have been provided skills training under PMKVY with 91 of them securing jobs outside the state.

He said that government has been taking up welfare activities for the displaced people staying in the relief camps with doctors and nurses engaged to conduct medical checkup twice a week.

In view of inconveniences faced by caretakers of patients from relief camps admitted to JNIMS and RIMS hospitals for treatment, the government had issued instructions to the hospitals for providing food, drinking water and other requirements for two caretakers of such patients.

Replying to a supplementary question from MLA Ranjit, CM Biren said that the government has given instruction for providing Rs 30,000 for performing ritual ceremonies when a displaced person dies at relief camp and assured of issuing the same instruction to the Kakching DC if the district official is unaware of it.

He also stated that families eligible to avail financial assistance may claim the amount through proper channel.

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