TYCM serves deadline over MSCST issues
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 25 2024: Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM) on Monday served an ultimatum to chief minister N Biren Singh, regarding its charter of demands placed before the latter, as well as to the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department (TA&HD) earlier this year.

In release, TYCM Media & Information Department recalled that it submitted memoranda to the CM On October 7 and November 6, as well as a representation to the special chief secretary of Tribal Affairs & Hills Department concerning Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes (MSCST) .

The council noted that despite repeated reminders, there has been no positive response from the government regarding the charter of demands, prompting it to issue an ultimatum on the matter.

'If the government fails to address and implement the charter of demands within November 29, then TYCM will be compelled to launch democratic forms of agitation to ensure the fulfilment of these demands," it cautioned.

The demands included nomination/appointment of two members to fill the vacancies in MSCST; appointment of a separate member secretary; regularisation of the eight clerical staff; fill up/recruitment of vacant posts of research officers, senior legal officers, and clerical staff; increase fund allocation for MSCST from Rs 90 lakh to Rs 10 crore and creating a separate fund head under the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes; fill up/recruitment of vacant posts in the Directorate of Tribal Affairs & Hills; induction/ appointment of a separate director exclusively for the Directorate; expedite release of pending benefits for the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24 under Tribal Affairs & Hills Department; induct/appoint separate director exclusively and fill vacant posts of officers and Grade-IV staffs in Tribal Research Institute (TRI); and continue Tribal Cultural Festival Programme under TRI.

The youth council said that since the onset of the ethnic clashes in Manipur on May 3 last year, the government has conducted continuous recruitment processes and issued appointment orders across various departments.

It, however, pointed out a glaring neglect of recruitment and development activities in the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department, MSCST, and TRI.

"This discriminatory attitude undermines the tribal communities of Manipur and contradicts the government's proclaimed slogan of equal development for both the valley and the hills", the youth council added.

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