Various measures taken up for IDPs: Ng Uttam
Source: Chronicle News Service / Niranjan Oinam

Imphal, September 09 2023: The state government has started process to issue new pensions to elderlies, widows and differently abled people who have been internally displaced and staying in various relief camps due to the ethnic conflict, said Social Welfare director Ngangom Uttam.

He informed that presently, 800 widow pension cards and 15-1600 old age pension cards along with disable cards are to be newly issued.

Speaking exclusively to TPC, Ng Uttam admitted that there is a gap between what is expected from the Department by the public and what has been implemented on the ground.

However, the Department is doing its best to provide maximum benefits to internally displaced people (IDPs).

Since May 3, around 52,000 to 53,000 people including 22,000 to 23,000 children have been displaced and are staying in relief camps due to the present crisis.

Earlier, it was estimated that more than 12,000 children have sought refuge in such camps but as communications have been established with the district administrations which had remained out of contact, the number of displaced children has been updated to the present count, he informed.

Uttam also highlighted that the Department has not only started counselling sessions for displaced children but also has taken up various programmes under Anganwadi and Mission Vatsalya.

He continued that Department's doctors and other psychiatrists on voluntary basis are providing professional counselling.

The children undergo drawing, play and dance sessions which become a medium to understand their mental health conditions.

Children with high trauma are immediately provided treatment under noted JNIMS psychiatrists and Dr RK Lenin, he added.

Uttam also mentioned that ICDS and Anganwadi workers are working to stop malnutrition in children staying in relief camps and under Mission Vatsalya children who have lost one or both of their parents in the present crisis and are being cared by their grandparents are provided Rs 4000 per month under sponsorship programme.

If the relatives are unable to take care of these children, then they are transferred to children home, he informed.

The director conveyed that since there are several pregnant and lactating women amongst the IDPs, an order was issued on May 8 to keep them at Ujjwala Homes as they require hygienic conditions and privacy.

Informing that there around 73 such women staying in these homes, he also pointed out that Anganwadi workers are visiting relief camps to identify beneficiaries for Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) which provides monetary benefit of Rs 5000 in three instalments to first time mothers as well as to mothers having a girl child in their second birth.

While explaining that names are to be submitted online, he acknowledged problems faced by the deserving beneficiaries due to internet shutdown in the state.

Uttam further conveyed that the Department has so far identified 111 differently abled people, who are in relief camps.

As monthly monetary benefits are entitled to person who is 40 per cent disabled, process is on to distinguish such people, he informed, while adding that the Department is providing necessary aid and assistive devices such as wheel chairs, walking stick, hearing aid, etc., to them along with issuing disability certificates.

Regarding elderly IDPs, Uttam informed that 2600 people over the age of 60 years are staying in relief camps, while there are 200 elderlies of 80-plus age in such camps out of which 35 need assistance for mobility.

The director further informed that Department will very soon hand out compensation to three rape victims, while mentioning that it can provide maximum of Rs 3 lakh as compensation to them.

He also conveyed that deputy commissioners have been authorised to provide compensation of Rs 2 lakh to rape victims, but if the compensation amount reaches Rs 3 lakh, then the DCs concerned have to send a memo to the Department.

Uttam assured that the Department is doing all it could so that all these benefits reach the IDPs.

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