OSCs seek Governor's attention over fund crunch
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, March 28 2025: One Stop Centres (OSCs) in Manipur have urged Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to look into their dire situation wherein the staff are working without salaries and essential funds for the past 24 months, severely impacting their ability to provide services.

In a letter submitted to the Governor on behalf of all 16 OSCs on Friday, One Stop Centre, Imphal East centre administrator Takhellambam Latarani Devi highlighted the critical shortage of funds at the OSCs, stating, "One of the major grievances faced by the staff of OSCs, Manipur, is the lack of financial resources.

The staff have been working without salaries and necessary funds for the past 24 months" .

The letter further noted that while the Ministry has released funds for six months (April to September 2024), these are still being processed by the Secretariat and the release of these funds may be delayed due to an overload of work as the financial year 2024-25 approaches.

Accordingly, the OSCs urged the Governor to direct the relevant authorities to release the overdue funds for the six-month period before the conclusion of the current financial year.

Established in 2015 under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the OSCs aim to offer integrated support to women affected by violence in both public and private settings.

They currently operate under the "Mission Shakti" initiative, The 16 OSCs across Manipur have been diligently supporting women-and girls affected by violence, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently in districts impacted by the conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023 .

Statistics from the OSCs indicate a substantial number of cases registered since 2019, with Bishnupur reporting 296 cases, Chandel 88, Churachandpur 172, Imphal East 137, and Imphal West 450 .

Other regions include Jiribam with 87 cases, Kakching 119, Kamjong 94, Kangpokpi 202, Noney 157, Tamenglong 118, and Tengnoupal 192 .

Thoubal has recorded 169 cases since 2017, while Senapati has 38 cases and Ukhrul 123 cases.

Information for Pherzawl is currently unavailable.

Comment