IT News
Imphal, May 2:
The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM), General Headquarters, has submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Manipur, urging the immediate cancellation of a recent corrigendum that shifts the jurisdiction of a key road development project from Kangpokpi District to Imphal West.
The representation, submitted on May 2, 2025, calls for the withdrawal of the Corrigendum dated March 10, 2025 (No. AAEXRF-103/1/2025-WD-WD), which altered the division jurisdiction for the improvement of the road from Sangaithel Lamkhai to Kotlen. The TYCM also demanded the immediate initiation of the tender process based on the original jurisdiction, as outlined in the Public Works Department’s (PWD) work programme.
According to the PWD’s work programme published on February 12, 2025, under Order No. AAEXRF-103/1/2025-WD-WD, the road improvement project from Sangaithel Lamkhai to Kotlen is listed at Serial No. 84 in Approved List No. 3. Kotlen, the intended work site, is located in Kangpokpi District.
However, the TYCM expressed concern that the March 10 corrigendum inexplicably transferred the project’s jurisdiction from Kangpokpi to Imphal West, despite the fact that Sangaithel Lamkhai merely serves as the boundary point between the two districts and acts as the zero point for the project. The actual work site lies approximately 8 kilometers beyond this point, well within Kangpokpi District.
The council raised serious questions over the legality and logic of the change, asking on what grounds the Imphal West Division could issue a work order or supervise a project that falls outside its territorial jurisdiction. “Under what provision can Imphal West Division oversee work located entirely within Kangpokpi District?” the council questioned.
The TYCM condemned what it described as a recurring trend of valley-based administrative divisions exercising control over projects meant for hill districts. “This corrigendum reflects a policy direction that sidelines tribal communities and allows valley-centric authorities to dominate development efforts in the hills,” the statement read. “Such actions are unacceptable and will be resisted strongly by the tribal population.”
The council warned that any further delay in initiating the tender process for the road project could severely hinder developmental progress in the hill districts and contradict the government’s stated commitment to equitable and balanced regional development.
TYCM called upon the state government to act responsibly and ensure that administrative decisions respect both geographical jurisdictions and the sentiments of tribal communities, particularly in sensitive matters involving infrastructure development in hill areas.
