TA&H, TRI facing manpower shortage: TYCM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 21 2025: Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM) on Monday said that two key tribal department and institution in the state are on the brink of collapse due to "severe" staff shortage.

TYCM, in a statement cited an RTI reply that shows that the directorate of tribal affairs & hills is operating with only 38 employees against 138 sanctioned posts.

The Tribal Research Institute (TRI) fares slightly better, with 13 staff members against 33 positions.

TYCM said that of the existing employees, many have not been attending office in full strength, with several Kuki community members absent since the ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023.No other department is in such a dire condition, the council said while calling the situation "highly shameful in this advanced era".

It warned that the manpower crisis has severely weakened both institutions, undermining their ability to meet the developmental needs of the state's tribal communities.

Delays in project implementation and policy execution are a direct consequence of the pervasive understaffing, it stated.

Accusing the state government of showing "deep disregard" for tribal welfare, TYCM noted that repeated written appeals and through media have gone unanswered.

"The government's inaction speaks .louder than any promise of support," the statement said and added that failure to act on the part of the government reflects a broader unwillingness to uplift tribal populations.

TYCM renewed its call for immediate recruitment and deployment of qualified personnel to the directorate and the TRI empowering them with adequate resources and manpower.

It warned that any further delay would only exacerbate existing inequalities and stall crucial development initiatives for the indigenous communities of the state.

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