MMWO urges Government to address discrepancies, provide due benefits to minorities
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 14 2024:
Highlighting the shortfalls of the Department of Minority Affairs in executing welfare and developmental works/programmes for Meitei-Pangals, the Manipur Meitei-Pangal Welfare Organisation (MMWO) has urged the State Government to address the discrepancies in the department and provide the minorities with their due benefits.
A statement issued by Khutheibam Wadia Hassan, secretary general, MMWO has asserted that the Minority Affairs Department now exists only to hand out pre and post matric scholarships.
MMWO has pointed out various Government programmes and schemes that the department has allegedly failed to execute in Meitei-Pangal concentrated regions.
Some of these include Skill Development Programme (SDP), Economic Development Programme (EDP) and Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) (under economic empowerment category; "Nai Roshni - the scheme for leadership development of minority women", Hamari Dharohar Scheme (EDP), Skill Development Programme (SDP), Housing and health schemes under the special needs category as well as the infrastructural development works under the Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme and Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVK) under the area development categories.
MMWO also alleged that the MOB EDS Engineering Cell, which is an autonomous body of the department, has been used just to rake in money.
Further, MMWO went on to question why out of 40 Sadbhavna Mandaps constructed, only one was built in Meitei-Pangal area.
In addition, it asked why 1 km road stretches were not constructed in Meitei Pangal concentrated regions under the road and infrastructural development programmes.
Referring to the funds sanctioned by the Ministry of Minority Affairs for free coaching of minority students, MMWO has sought answers about the funds sanctioned from 2020 to 2023 .
Accusing the Department of Minority Affairs of not taking up any developmental and welfare schemes in Meitei Pangal areas since its establishment following the bifurcation of Minorities and Other Backward Classes (MOBC) in 2018, MMWO appealed to the State Government to address this issue in the Assembly and grant due benefits to Meitei Pangals.