Ukhrul, Dec 31: The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM), General Headquarters, has submitted a representation to the Chief Minister of Manipur, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), New Delhi, and the Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur on December 31, 2024, urging the immediate cancellation of Notification No. 9/45/2013-TA&Hills(Pt.III) dated 26th December 2024, regarding the nomination of two members to the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes (MSCST) and to invite applications from eligible candidates belonging to tribal communities of Manipur.
The press communique stated that it had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Manipur on 7th October 2024, urging the government to nominate two members to the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes (MSCST) per the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes Act, 2014 with due transparency and fairness. However, the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department made these nominations without following due process, compromising fairness and transparency, it alleged and added that the tribal people of Manipur cannot accept the said notification.
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“The Act explicitly defines ‘having special knowledge in matters relating to tribal affairs’ as requiring persons possessing demonstrable experience, knowledge of tribal rights, tribal customs & cultures, and active involvement in social causes or activities related to tribal communities. Without an open notification inviting applications, it is impossible to ascertain whether candidates meet the qualifications or criteria, or to select those who are truly eligible,” it stated.
The TYCM questioned how the Government identified candidates with special knowledge in tribal affairs without conducting an invitation process for eligible candidates from the tribal communities of Manipur. It stated that to ensure fairness and transparency, it was mandatory to issue an open invitation for applications, along with bio-data and activity reports, providing all eligible individuals an equal opportunity to apply.
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“The practice of nominating candidates without an open invitation raises suspicions of nominations being influenced by nepotism or favoritism, with the possibility of nominating relatives or family members or close associates of political figures or officers. Such practices deny deserving qualified individuals the opportunity to fairly compete for these positions and violate their right to participate in the process. This will ultimately harm the interests and development of the tribal communities,” it said.
The TYCM further said that the lack of transparency and fairness in the nomination process undermined the very essence of the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes (MSCST) and denied the tribal communities their rightful participation in shaping policies and decisions that directly affect them.
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Furthermore, the TYCM said that similar commissions in the state, such as the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW), Manipur State Minorities Commission (MSMC), and Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), have all ensured fair and transparent selection processes by inviting eligible individuals to apply. Given this precedence, it is concerning that the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department has failed to adopt a similar process for the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes (MSCST), it said.
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