Governor's intervention sought over non-payment of salaries for OSC staff
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, March 28 2025:
The aggrieved staff of One Stop Centres (OSCs) in Manipur have sought Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's immediate intervention to address the non-payment of their salary and shortage of funds at the OSCs for the past 24 months.
The Centre Administrator, OSC, Imphal East, Takhellambam Latarani Devi submitted a representation to the Governor for and on behalf of all sixteen OSCs in different districts of Manipur.
The letter highlighted the grievances of the OSC staff working without salary and dealing with fund shortage for the last 24 months.
These issues have greatly affected the efficiency of OSCs in rendering services to needy people.
According to the letter, the Ministry of Women and Child Development released funds for six months from April to September, 2024 (out of the pending funds for 24 months) and the same was processed at the Secretariat for release.
However, due to work overload as the financial year 2024-25 is approaching, it was reportedly informed that the aforementioned funds may not be released this month.
In this connection, the letter has called for the Governor's immediate intervention to direct the concerned authority to release the OSC funds for six months before the end of this financial year 2024-2025 and also release their pending salary.
According to reports and information available, the district-wise break down of cases registered with the OSCs till date are as follows:
Bishnupur - 296 cases
Chandel - 88 cases
Churachandpur - 172 cases (since 2019)
Imphal East - 137 cases (since 2019)
Imphal West - 450 cases (since 2019)
Jiribam - 87 cases (since 2019)
Kakching - 119 cases (since 2019)
Kamjong - 94 cases (since 2019)
Kangpokpi - 202 cases (since 2019)
Noney - 157 cases (since 2019)
Pherzawl - information not available
Tamenglong - 118 cases (since 2019)
Tengnoupal - 192 cases (since 2019)
Thoubal - 169 cases (since 2017)
Senapati - 38 cases (since 2019)
Ukhrul - 123 cases (since 2019) .
It might be mentioned, the first One Stop Centre (OSC) was established in 2015 with an aim to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence both in public and private places.
It is now under the umbrella scheme "Mission Shakti" .
According to reports, the 16 OSCs in Manipur have been working quietly but diligently to support women and girls affected by violence as clearly evident from their service when the State was hit hard by COVID and more recently, their service in the districts affected by the conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023 .