IT News
Imphal, Aug 5
The All Tribal Rights’ Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) has expressed disapproval to the inaction of the State Government for non-disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries of Family Oriented Schemes under Tribal Affairs and Hills, Government of Manipur for the financial year of 2018-19 and 2019-20 till date. The union government has already released the sanctioned amount to the State Government, however, the State Government has withheld the disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries who are ignorant of the schemes and also poor section of the society. It has become a routine for the State Government to divert the funds meant for Scheduled tribes under TA & Hills including scholarships of the students which is highly condemnable. No fund meant for ST communities has been disbursed on time by the present State Government which negates the whole objects of this Department and defeat the actual spirit of the Constitution.
The fund for scholarship has been diverted, the funds for family oriented schemes have been diverted and all other funds meant for ST communities of the State under TA & Hills have been diverted consistently which is a clear indication of suppressing the rights of the poor tribal people and play with their livelihood. TA & Hills is the only Department which provide some kind of economic reliefs and also allow to carry out some important family oriented activities for implementation of various programmes like Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Flower Fisheries, Piggeries, Industries, Women’s & Children Programmes, Medical and Health, Education etc. However, the State government has not disbursed the fund to the beneficiaries till date even after a lapsed of more than a year and 5 (five) months from the end of last financial year.
The ATRPFM demands the State Government and the authorities/department concerned to disburse and credit the approved amount to the bank account of the beneficiaries, failing which we shall be seek remedies before the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs and also file PIL before the High court of Manipur.