In a memorandum submitted to Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, the Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs, Manipur (FATYCM) said since the Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills has become a ‘dumping ground’ for the Department of Scheduled Castes, all the works and responsibilities of the tribal affairs and hills would be now seriously disrupted because of the additional task.
The Principal Secretary (TA & Hills) issued an order dated July 11, 2014 pursuant to the Manipur Cabinet decision taken on January 2 this year to transfer the Scheduled Castes Department, which was earlier with the Directorate of MOBC, to the Department of TA & Hills, the memorandum to Gaikhangam, who also holds the charge of TA & Hills, said.
Department of TA & Hills has already been shouldering a heavy responsibility and has been handling Works, Horticulture, Agriculture, Fisheries, Veterinary, Health, Education and Sports.
It claimed that the Cabinet decision to transfer the Department of Scheduled Castes to the Department of TA & Hills did not obtain prior approval from the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), which is one of the important groups to be consulted in taking up any developmental work or implementing any welfare scheme for the tribal people of Manipur.
FATYCM further urged Gaikhangam to review the order in the larger interest of the Scheduled Tribes community, suggesting that the Government should set up a separate department for the Scheduled Castes rather than merging Scheduled Caste Department with Tribal Affairs and Hills Department.
Notably, a Cabinet decision resolved to abolish the Directorate of Minority and Other Backward Classes and set up a Scheduled Caste Department before the same plan was scrapped in exchange for merger with TA & Hills.
Source: The Sangai Express
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