Tribal council calls for new MSCST chairperson
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 03 2025: The United Tribal Council, Manipur (UTCM) has expressed serious concerns over the delay in appointing a new chairperson of Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes (MSCST), following the expiry of the incumbent's term on July 14, 2025.According to a press release of UTCM, the current chairperson, T Mathieu Rongmei, whose tenure ended last month, is reportedly seeking an extension - a move the council strongly opposed on behalf of the tribal community.

In this connection, major tribal civil society organisations (CSOs) submitted a representation to the Governor of Manipur, chief secretary, additional chief secretary (TA & Hills), member secretary of MSCST, and director of Tribal Affairs & Hills, calling for the dismissal and termination of the incumbent chairperson, whose tenure officially ended on July 14, 2025 .

The council also accused the outgoing chairperson of involvement in financial irregularities and mismanagement, stating that his continuation in office has become a liability to the Commission.

His tenure, it alleged, was characterised by non-transparency, bias, and administrative partisanship, which have undermined the objectives of the Commission.

The UTCM further criticised the Annual Progress Report released during the Commission's 2nd Foundation Day on July 4, 2025, noting the absence of any meaningful recommendations to the government or efforts to strengthen the institution.

It contended that the report failed to reflect any substantial initiatives to protect the rights and welfare of Manipur's tribal communities.

In addition, the UTCM highlighted a violation of the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes Act, 2014, by pointing out T Mathieu Rongmei's active affiliation with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which contravenes the rules prohibiting political alignment among officeholders of the Commission.

The UTCM has urged the state government to immediately issue an official notification - without political interference - inviting applications from eligible and qualified individuals belonging to the recognised Scheduled Tribes of the state (now numbering 39) in accordance with Chapter II, Rule 3(a)(b)(c) of the MSCST Act, 2014 .

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