Ukhrul, April 21: The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM) has alleged that among all departments under the Government of Manipur, the Directorate of Tribal Affairs & Hills Department and the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) are the most affected by severe manpower shortages. Also, no other departments are in such deteriorated conditions as the two institutions.
TYCM alleged that the Directorate of Tribal Affairs & Hills Department has 38 employees out of the sanctioned 138 posts, leaving 100 positions vacant and TRI with just 13 employees against a sanctioned strength of 33, resulting in 20 vacant posts, citing an RTI report. Moreover, it noted that 38 staff of the Directorate and 13 staff of the TRI were not attending office, in addition to some employees, particularly from the Kuki community, due to the ethnic violence outbreak in the state since May 3, 2023.
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“This severe manpower shortage has significantly weakened both the Directorate of Tribal Affairs Department and TRI, limiting their capacity to address the developmental needs of the tribal communities in Manipur. When these institutions remain understaffed and under-resourced, it directly affects and delays the developmental progress of the tribal population,” TYCM stressed. Stating that it clearly shows the State Government’s unwillingness to uplift and strengthen the Directorate of Tribal Affairs Department and Tribal Research Institute (TRI), the body has called it a suppression and a direct disregard for the tribal communities of Manipur.
Further, TYCM stated that it had repeatedly appealed to the concerned authorities through electronic and print media, yet the government has not taken action. The council has urged the State Government to immediately address the acute manpower shortage in the Directorate of Tribal Affairs & Hills and the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) to ensure these institutions are empowered to serve the tribal communities effectively.
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