Safeguarding Public Trust: The urgent need for government action against institutional fraud

In recent months, Imphal Times has published a series of reports exposing serious instances of fraud carried out in the name of government departments and well-known international organisations. These include fake recruitment drives, forged documents, and impersonation of state and central bodies. Despite public exposure and official complaints, there has been little to no visible action from the concerned authorities. This silence is both puzzling and deeply troubling. It not only emboldens fraudulent actors but also erodes the trust that citizens place in their institutions.
A particularly alarming case involves the operations of a body calling itself the Micro Surveillance Record (MSR), claiming affiliation with the World Health Organization (WHO) – Asian Chapter. MSR has been involved in conducting health surveys, gathering personal data, and even recruiting volunteers, all while presenting itself as an official or semi-official body. Investigations have revealed that MSR is not a registered organisation, nor is it formally recognised by WHO. The possibility of data misuse and the manipulation of vulnerable populations under the guise of international legitimacy is a matter of grave concern. Despite these revelations, there has been no formal response or warning from the state government or any health department.
This case is not an outlier. Similar fraudulent activities have involved the misuse of the State Medical Directorate’s name, deceptive financial schemes linked to the banking system, and false job promises. These scams have primarily targeted job-seeking youth, unemployed individuals, and rural communities who may not have the means to verify the legitimacy of such offers. In many instances, individuals have been tricked into paying bribes or deposits for job placements or benefits under fake welfare schemes.
What is most concerning is the lack of an institutional response. No government clarification has been issued regarding the legitimacy or illegitimacy of these bodies and their activities. This silence fuels public confusion and suspicion. When fraudulent actors operate unchecked under the names of reputed institutions, the consequences go far beyond individual victims. The public begins to lose confidence in all official communications, and even legitimate government initiatives face skepticism and resistance.
To restore credibility and protect citizens, the government must break its silence and take visible, decisive action. The first step must be to issue official clarifications that clearly identify which organisations are authorised to conduct surveys, recruitments, or financial outreach in the name of the government or any international body. These clarifications should be widely circulated, especially in vulnerable areas where the risk of being misled is higher. Additionally, formal investigations should be launched into the activities of fraudulent entities like MSR, and if criminal wrongdoing is established, legal action should follow swiftly.
The government must also consider setting up a verification mechanism—a public portal or hotline—where citizens can confirm the authenticity of job offers, survey requests, and other official-looking documents. This would serve as a practical line of defense against widespread fraud. Moreover, departments must take media reports seriously, treating them as early warnings. Collaborating with journalists and editors to fact-check and respond to credible reports could greatly improve both transparency and governance.
Civil society organisations and concerned citizens have often brought these issues to light, risking personal safety and reputation. The state should recognise the value of such whistleblowing and create safe channels through which people can report suspected fraud without fear of retaliation. Protecting and encouraging these voices is critical to building a transparent administrative culture.
The consequences of inaction are not abstract. They affect the lives of real people—those who fall prey to scams, lose hard-earned money, or have their hope manipulated. In a state like Manipur, which is already facing deep social and administrative challenges, unchecked fraud threatens to destabilise public confidence even further. The people deserve to know that their government is alert, responsive, and committed to upholding institutional integrity.
In conclusion, the growing pattern of fraudulent activities conducted under the guise of public and international agencies demands more than just passive observation. It requires serious, consistent, and public-facing action from the authorities. Let this not be just another editorial highlighting what is wrong. Let it be a reminder and a call for the government to act—not just to punish wrongdoers, but to protect its people and restore faith in the institutions meant to serve them.