Education, welfare needs of IDPs discussed
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 30 2024:
The state government, under the chairmanship of commissioner (Home) N Ashok Kumar, convened a meeting on December 24 at the secretariat conference hall to address concerns raised by Meitei Society, Churachandpur and Meetei Council Moreh.
The meeting, attended by senior officials and deputy commissioners (DCs), focused on devising strategies to support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with special emphasis on education, financial assistance, and welfare measures.
At the meeting, the commissioner (home) emphasised that the issues highlighted by the two civil bodies were not specific to Churachandpur or Moreh but applicable broadly across districts.
He initiated a point-wise discussion, highlighting key areas of concern.
Stressing the need for a special education policy for IDP students, Ashok Kumar advised the DCs to take proactive measures to implement the policy, emphasising that updated data of students in both private and government schools must be provided promptly to the education department.
In his address, education (S) director L Nandakumar informed that nodal officers had been appointed for all relief camps to streamline student admissions and ensure fee reductions where practicable.
Negotiations with private schools had yielded positive outcomes, with many institutions waiving monthly fees for IDP students, he confided.
According to Imphal East DC meetings were being held regularly with heads of schools in her jurisdiction while Kangpokpi DC disclosed that 3400 students, including 2100 in private schools, are in need of financial support.
On his conveyance that lack of records for former schools is a cause for concern, Nandakumar stressed the urgent need for collecting comprehensive data to formulate a uniform educational policy and announced that the directorate of education would circulate a standard format for data collection.
Deliberating on the concerns about adjustments in compensatory amounts, the home commissioner stated that disbursements would be made based on specific requirements and advised the DCs to ensure equitable distribution of funds while adhering to audit guidelines.
Regarding LPG connections for IDPs, the Imphal East DC reported that the first instalment of Rs 25,000 had been provided to affected families, with around 100 families receiving LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).
The commissioner emphasised the need to create a database of beneficiaries for effective implementation.
The joint secretary (social welfare) informed that old age pensions had been disbursed to 1207 beneficiaries staying in relief camps, with additional releases planned by February 2025.He was directed to circulate detailed reports to DCs to facilitate fresh enrolments if required.
The joint secretary (health) highlighted the simplification of the Chief Minister's Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) scheme enrolment process, with certified IDP certificates and Aadhaar cards being mandatory.
Bishnupur DC raised the need for CMHT cards to be operational in private hospitals, noting financial strain on DCs managing treatment of IDPs.
Commissioner (Home) assured that the matter would be examined separately for a viable resolution.
Deputy secretary (RD & PR) reported that 8100 special job cards had been issued to IDPs, providing employment to 3000 households.
Concerns regarding Aadhaar-linked payments for displaced IDPs were raised, to which the commissioner (home) directed initiation of relevant measures to ensure inclusivity.
The commissioner (home) also underscored the importance of minimising relief camps and addressing education related issues in consultation with the directorate of education.
He urged the DCs to adhere to the Supreme Court's directive on property protection and to take necessary measures to address the challenges faced by IDPs .
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