TYCM urges fund enhancement for MSCST
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 21 2025: Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM), General Headquarters, has submitted a representation to the chief secretary and officials concerned of the finance department, urging them to enhance the fund allocation for the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes (MSCST) from the current Rs 90 lakh to Rs 10 crore.

The representation was submitted on June 17, according to a TYCM release.

The council highlighted that approximately 90 per cent of Manipur's geographical area comprises hills, while only 10 per cent falls under the valley region.

Due to the vast and challenging terrain of the hill areas, developmental activities incur significantly higher expenses and logistical difficulties.

It pointed out that organising awareness and seminar programmes in the valley is relatively easier and less expensive compared to the hill districts, where poor connectivity and difficult terrain drive up the cost of transportation, accommodation, and communication.

The representation emphasised that most villages in the hill districts remain disconnected from basic information sources such as internet, newspapers, and television.

These services are usually available only at district headquarters.

In such a context, awareness and sensitisation programmes become even more important to inform tribal communities about their constitutional rights, government schemes, and welfare programmes.

TYCM underscored the essential role of MSCST in bridging this information gap by conducting awareness and sensitisation programmes across the state.

However, the existing fund allocation of Rs 90 lakh per annum severely restricts the Commission's outreach, especially in remote and backward areas.

Highlighting the disparity in government spending, TYCM pointed but that the state government recently spent Rs 6.30 crore on the 5th State Level Shirui Lily Festival, which lasted only four days.

In contrast, MSCST is expected to function throughout the entire year with just Rs 90 lakh.

The council questioned how meaningful development can be achieved in tribal areas with such a limited budget.

TYCM also argued that the state can only be considered genuinely developed when both the hill and valley regions progress in a balanced and equitable manner.

TYCM stated that a similar request for enhanced funding had been submitted earlier to the government before the imposition of President's Rule, but no concrete action has been takeh so far.

The council called on the present authorities to act promptly to ensure inclusive development across the state.

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