To monitor teachers' attendance in hill dists...Biometric system to be used
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 07 2022: The Tribal Affairs and Hills (TA&H) Department has initiated due process to instal biometric systems in all hill schools having classes Nursery to VI.

It is said that the biometric system would help in identifying substitute teachers as well as defaulting teachers who are irregular or do not report at their places of posting.

Talking to The Sangai Express, TA&H Minister Letpao Haokip informed that biometric systems have been already installed at schools located at district headquarters.

He said that teachers are now quite regular at schools located in hill district headquarters but teachers' attendance at other schools is not yet satisfactory.

Proper education must be given to all students.

If teachers are not willing to educate children, they must be suspended and if suspension is not enough for the lethargic teachers to mend their ways, they would be terminated, the TA&H Minister said.

To monitor teachers' attendance in hill dists...Biometric system to be used

Regarding the welfare schemes implemented by TA&H Department in the hill districts, Letpao Haokip said that not less than 25 beneficiaries would be given GI sheets in a year for construction of houses through each MLA.

Earlier, 10 beneficiaries were given GI sheets for construction of houses through each MLA.

The GI sheets to be given to beneficiaries are coloured Dyna Roofing sheets, he added.

There are also schemes for construction of IVRs, culverts and retaining walls.

There are also schemes for establishment of water supply projects under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and also under NDB in areas which could not be reached by JJM, he said.

Many such small schemes including water supply projects have been sanctioned under the 15th Finance Commission, Letpao Haokip said.

Saying that there are many remote areas in the hill districts which could be reached even on foot, Letpao informed that a new initiative has been launched under which Rs 50,000 would be given to poor, aged and illiterate people as health insurance.

There are also plans to provide water tankers to the poorest of the poor, sewing machines to those who can sew clothes, hearing aids, walking sticks and medical kit boxes to the needy people, he continued.

Even though these are very small, they are necessary in day to day life.

Among the hill people, there are many who can go to Imphal every now and then and meet MLAs/Ministers on a regular basis.

It appears that this group of people have been enjoying the lion's share of all the benefits given by the TA&H Department under several schemes, Letpao Haokip remarked.

He then appealed to the particular group of people to be noble and compassionate and ensure that the benefits of schemes taken up by the department reach the needy and deserving people.

Even as huge amounts have been invested for executing development projects in the hill districts, many of these development projects/works are still not visible, he said.

He remarked that the works executed under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) are not commensurate with the amounts invested.

There are also reports of selling of GI sheets given for construction of houses due to sheer poverty or other reasons.

If the GI sheets given every year are counted together, the number of GI sheets might have exceeded the number of beneficiaries, he continued.

He appealed to all concerned to utilise the funds sanctioned by the 15th Finance Commission for the welfare of the community, instead of using them for personal comfort.

If the State must move forward, there should be a foolproof system.

"I don't want to be a Minister who could not produce a white paper of the activities he/she undertook.

The primary duty of a Minister is serving the people.

If one is intent on aggrandising oneself, there are many other ways/professions", he added.