Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, March 28:
The One Stop Centres (OSCs) in Manipur, dedicated to supporting women affected by violence, are facing a severe crisis due to a prolonged lack of funding. For the past 24 months, the staff have been working without salaries and the necessary financial resources to sustain operations. This dire situation has significantly impacted their ability to provide essential services to women in distress.
In an urgent appeal to the Governor of Manipur, the OSCs have sought immediate intervention, requesting directives to ensure the release of pending funds. The One Stop Centre initiative, launched in 2015 under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, operates under the umbrella scheme “Mission Shakti.” Its primary role is to offer integrated assistance to women facing violence in both public and private spaces.
Despite financial hardships, the 16 OSCs across Manipur have been unwavering in their commitment, providing crucial support during the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, aiding women affected by the conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023. However, the prolonged financial uncertainty now threatens their ability to function effectively.
On March 28, 2025, Takhellambam Latarani Devi, Centre Administrator of the One Stop Centre in Imphal East, submitted a formal representation to the Governor on behalf of all 16 OSCs. In her letter, she highlighted the pressing issue of financial constraints, stating, “One of the major grievances faced by OSC staff in Manipur, who are providing vital services to women, is the shortage of funds. The staff have been working without salaries and essential resources for the past 24 months.”
While the Ministry has sanctioned funds covering six months (April–September 2024) for the 2024-25 fiscal year, bureaucratic delays at the Secretariat may prevent their timely release. The letter warns that due to an administrative backlog, the funds may not be processed before the current financial year ends, exacerbating the already precarious situation.
Given these circumstances, the OSCs have appealed for the Governor’s immediate intervention to instruct the concerned authorities to expedite the disbursement of pending funds before the financial year closes.
The urgency of the situation is further underscored by the high number of cases handled by the OSCs. Since 2019, the centres have registered hundreds of cases across the state:
Imphal West – 450 cases
Bishnupur – 296 cases
Kangpokpi – 202 cases
Tengnoupal – 192 cases
Churachandpur – 172 cases
Thoubal – 169 cases
Noney – 157 cases
Ukhrul – 123 cases
Kamjong – 94 cases
Chandel – 88 cases
Jiribam – 87 cases
Kakching – 119 cases
Tamenglong – 118 cases
Senapati – 38 cases
Pherzawl – Data unavailable
These figures highlight the critical role of OSCs in assisting women facing violence and abuse. Without immediate financial support, the centres risk shutting down, leaving vulnerable women without access to essential services.
The staff remain hopeful that the Governor will take swift action to resolve the funding crisis, ensuring the continued operation of OSCs and the protection of women in Manipur.
