TYCM demands revoke of CFO's transfer
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 09 2024: Tribal Youth Council Manipur, General Headquarters (TYCM-GHQ), has submitted a representation to the chief minister, urging an immediate stay on the recent transfer order of Tribal Affairs & Hills (TA&H) directorate's chief finance officer (CFO) Ramnganing Zimik.

The representation, submitted on November 6, highlighted concerns over the CFO's transfer, stressing the need for bolstering tribal representation within the department.

TYCM said their appeal followed a memorandum submitted to the chief minister's office on October 7, which called for comprehensive reforms to strengthen the directorate to better serve the tribal communities.

"Instead of addressing this request, the state government issued an order transferring Ramnganing Zimik to the agriculture department as CFO/agriculture and SFO (fire services) on October 23," contended TYCM and expressed strong opposition to the move which, it argued, undermined the interests of the tribal populace.

Maintaining that retaining Ramnganing Zimik in his current position is vital for continuing the progressive initiatives benefiting tribal communities, the Council pointed out the severe shortage of tribal officers within the directorate, noting that only 3 out of the 46 total staff members are from tribal backgrounds.

"This limited representation hampers the department's ability to adequately address the unique challenges faced by the tribal population," TYCM said.

The memorandum asserted that tribal officers possess an intrinsic understanding of the culture, attitudes, and communication nuances essential for fostering open dialogue within tribal communities.

"Increasing the number of tribal officers would enhance the department's effectiveness and promote better engagement, resulting in more inclusive and impactful policies" .

TYCM further underscored that the directorate has been operating without a minister in-charge since the current conflict erupted on May 3, last year.

The absence of ministerial leadership has compounded the challenges faced by the department, which already struggles with acute staffing shortages that have halted the disbursement of funds and the implementation of key development schemes for over a year.

This situation has significantly impacted the progress of tribal development and widened disparities, the Council contended.

The representation also called on the government to urgently address these issues by prioritising the recruitment of qualified tribal candidates to fill vacant posts.

Adequate staffing would help revitalise the department, ensuring it can effectively serve the state's tribal and hill communities and promote balanced development.

TYCM reiterated its appeal for the state government to take immediate action, emphasising that a stronger tribal representation within the directorate is crucial for sustainable and equitable development across the state's hill areas.

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