Unpaid work bills stalls EMRS construction
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, August 07 2025: Construction work on the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Makhan Khuman, under Mao-Maram sub-division in Senapati district, has been halted for several months due to non-payment of bills.

This was disclosed when the implementing agencies were questioned about the stalled progress.

It may be noted that the EMRS scheme was first initiated in 1997-98 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) children in remote areas.

The aim is to enable them pursue higher and professional education and secure employment in various sectors.

These schools focus not only on academic excellence but also on the all-round development of students.

Unpaid work bills stalls EMRS construction

Providing quality education to ST students has been a key priority for the Ministry' of Tribal Affairs, as educational development is a stepping stone to economic and social progress and the most effective tool for empowerment.

The school construction at Makhan Khuman was reportedly undertaken by the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation (MTDC) .

Four different agencies were assigned the construction of the main school building, boys' hostel, girls' hostel, and retaining walls adjacent to the school building.

Work was said to have commenced in 2013 .

According to Ministry of Tribal Affairs' guidelines, the construction of an EMRS should be completed within three years.

However, all works have been halted due to non-payment of pending bills by the MTDC .

It is reported that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had already sanctioned the funds and transferred the amount to the MTDC's account by the second week of June 2025 .

However, the Tribal Affairs Department, Manipur, has yet to release the payment to the contractors, who submitted a memorandum to the Senapati deputy commissioner, requesting urgent intervention to ensure timely completion of government projects and safeguard the interests of those diligently executing the work.

Despite confirmation that the necessary funds were sanctioned to the agency's account by the end of May 2025, the prolonged delay-coupled with vague and inconsistent explanations - has caused financial strain for the contractors.

They have already completed a significant portion of the work in good faith and at their own expense, so as to facilitate proper education of tribal children.

The contractors have appealed to the relevant authorities to release the pending payments promptly so that construction can be completed within the stipulated time frame.