Stipend swindled, ITI trainees left dry
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Sothing Shimray

Ukhrul, April 11 2012: Least of all expectations and in a clear case of taking advantage of the simple and ignorant, three years stipends of more than 150 trainees of the government run Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Ukhrul amounting to Rs.3, 86,110 has been found seemingly swindled as the stipend never reached the trainees even after Manipur Government accorded sanction of the stipend last October.

The issue came to light after media persons unearthed a copy of Manipur Government's sanction order dated 19th October, 2011 .

The order issued in the name of the Governor signed by the Additional Secretary, Labour & Employment, Government of Manipur, Bobby Waikhom stated that 'The Governor of Manipur is please to accord Administrative approval and expenditure sanction to an amount not exceeding Rs.3,86,110 (Rs.Three lacs eighty six thousand one hundred ten) only for payment of stipend to the Trainees of ITI, Ukhrul for the period from 2008-09 to 2010-11' .

A view of the sprawling campus of Industrial Training Institute at Kasomtang in Ukhrul district :: Photo By: Sothing Shimray

The Order further stated that 'the expenditure is debitable to major head 2230 Labour & Employment (Plan) 03-Training, 101-ITI, 11-ITI, Detailed Expenses for the year 2011-12 .

The Order also clearly stated that it is issued with the concurrence of Finance Department Govt of Manipur vide their U.O.No 2/2011-12/FD(13-p/14) dated 10-10-2011' .

When members of Ukhrul District Journalists' Association enquired about the matter, the trainees and the staff of ITI, Ukhrul they were found surprisingly not aware of any Government order over payment of stipend.

The Superintendent in charge of ITI, Ukhrul R.S Shaiza said he was quite unaware of the Government Order.

He categorically stated, "We are totally in the dark.

ITI Office Ukhrul never received any information about the Government's Order nor does any stipend distributed to its Trainees since 2007" .

When contacted, some past trainees of 2008-10 said they had never received any stipend nor any information from the Institute about the possibility of payment of their due stipend.

Ukhrul's ITI Trainees launched series of agitation in 2008 and 2009 regarding non-payment of their stipend.

Established in 1973, ITI, Ukhrul is the oldest in Manipur.

It started with just three trades in a rented room at Alungtang but was later upgraded to 10 trades along with construction of a sprawling campus at Kasomtang in 2008 .

Almost all the trainees of ITI are from economically poor background looking for jobs as soon as the course is over.

Deprivation of basic student stipends and short supply of basic equipments to the Institute by the Government for learning has also taken its toll on the reputation of the Institute with student trainees showing nonchalant in seeking admission to one of the most popular institutes of the District.