UKHRUL: The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM), Council Headquarters, on Wednesday wrote to Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, urging the appointment of a Minister-in-Charge of Tribal Affairs & Hills from among Tribal MLAs able to be stationed in Imphal.
In a memorandum submitted to the CM, TYCM stated that the tribal people of the state have had no opportunity to meet or interact with the Minister of Tribal Affairs & Hills, as the minister has not been stationed in Imphal since the outbreak of ethnic clashes in the state on May 3, 2023.
“As mandated by Article 164 of the Constitution of India, it is stated that, the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, and the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor… For more than the past two years, the tribal people of the state have had no opportunity to meet or interact with the Minister of Tribal Affairs & Hills, as the Minister has not been stationed in Imphal since the outbreak of ethnic clashes in Manipur on 3 May 2023. In this regard, the Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM) has repeatedly appealed to the previous government; however, these appeals have not been addressed,” TYCM mentioned in its memorandum.
Also Read | Manipur Cabinet Expansion Unlikely Soon, 7 Ministerial Posts Still Vacant
It stated that the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department, which serves as the backbone for ensuring the welfare and development of tribal areas in Manipur, has remained paralysed due to the prolonged absence of the Minister of Tribal Affairs & Hills due to the outbreak of ethnic clashes in the state.
It also stated that the prolonged absence of the concerned minister has stalled the release of funds and the implementation of various schemes and work programmes for over a year, causing significant hardship and injustice to the communities not involved in the ethnic conflict.
“This state of limbo has severely impeded the development process in the tribal and hill areas, exacerbating the existing disparities and backwardness,” it stated.
TYCM highlighted that the development activities in the tribal areas of Manipur will not progress, and the losses and gaps of previous years will remain unaddressed if the post of Minister-in-Charge of Tribal Affairs & Hills is once again assigned to an MLA who is unable to be stationed in Imphal.
Also Read | Jasta Wangshol Inducted into NPP Manipur
“It is an exigent and urgent necessity to intensify extra efforts towards the development of the tribal areas of Manipur in order to fill the losses and gaps of previous years without delay and to restore effective governance in Manipur. The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM) hopes that the Chief Minister will kindly take affirmative and appropriate action on the matter stated hereinabove under your committed, dynamic, and capable leadership,” it added.