TYCM seeks cancellation of notification on nomination of MSCST members
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 31 2024: The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM), General Headquarters, has submitted a representation to the Chief Minister of Manipur, Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), New Delhi, and Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, seeking the immediate cancellation of Notification No 9/45/2013-TA & Hills (Pt III) dated December 26, 2024, regarding the nomination of two Members to the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes (MSCST) and to invite applications from eligible candidates of tribal communities of Manipur.

The representation submitted on Tuesday, follows earlier memoranda sent to the CM on October 7, urging the Government to nominate two Members to the MSCST in accordance with the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes Act, 2014 with due transparency and fairness.

In a release, TYCM alleged that the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department has made these nominations without following due process, compromising fairness and transparency.

"Without an open notification inviting applications, it is impossible to ascertain whether candidates meet the qualifications or criteria, or to select those who are truly eligible", said TYCM while questioning how the Government ha$ identified candidates with special knowledge in tribal affairs without conducting an invitation process for eligible candidates from the tribal communities of Manipur.

The TYCM continued that to ensure fairness and transparency, it is essential/ mandatory to issue an open invitation for applications, along with bio-data and activity reports, providing all eligible individuals an equal opportunity to apply.

"The practice of nominating candidates without an open invitation raises suspicions of nominations being influenced by nepotism or favoritism, with the possibility of nominating relatives or family members or close associates of political figures or officers.

Such practices deny deserving qualified individuals the opportunity to fairly compete for these positions and violate their right to participate in the process.

This will ultimately harm the interests and development of the tribal communities", it added.

The TYCM asserted that the lack of transparency and fairness in the nomination process undermines the very essence of the MSCST, and denies the tribal communities their rightful participation in shaping policies and decisions that directly affect them.

"Furthermore, similar commissions in the State, such as the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW), Manipur State Minorities Commission (MSMC), and Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), have all ensured fair and transparent selection processes by inviting eligible individuals to apply.

Given this precedence, it is concerning that the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department has failed to adopt a similar process for the MSCST", said TYCM .

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