The Tribal Youth Council Manipur, Council Headquarters, has urged the authorities to immediately disburse pending and current bills for completed contract works in the hill areas of Manipur and to release schemes, pensions, salaries and honorariums of tribal and Christian government employees before Christmas.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the council said that Christmas, observed annually on the twenty fifth of December, holds deep religious and cultural significance for the Christian community. It stated that the festive period is traditionally a time for rest, thanksgiving and family gatherings after a year of continuous work, and that families incur unavoidable expenses during the celebrations.
The council said delays in the release of payments and salaries have caused hardship to employees and contractors, particularly in the hill districts. It pointed out that despite completion of contract works, bills in several departments remain unpaid, while benefits and entitlements of government employees are yet to be released in some offices.
The Tribal Youth Council Manipur also appealed to the Governor of Manipur to ensure effective maintenance of law and order during the festive season and to prevent any untoward incidents in the state. It expressed hope that the Christmas season would usher in peace and stability in Manipur.
According to the council, reports received from employees indicate that while salaries have been disbursed in certain departments, others are yet to receive their dues. The council termed the uneven disbursement as a matter of concern and called for uniform and timely release of payments across all remaining non-disbursing departments.
The council urged the authorities to take immediate steps to address the issue so that employees and their families can observe the festival without financial distress.