By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: The Manipur State Minorities Commission (MSMC) observed Minorities Rights Day on December 20 at Maharaja Chandrakirti Auditorium, Imphal.
The function was attended by Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh, Chairperson A. Halim Chowdhury, IAS (Retd.), Minister (Agriculture & Fisheries) Md. Abdul Nasir, Parliamentary Secretary (MOBC & SC and Sc. & Tech.) Md. Amin Shah, MLA and Chairman of Wakf Board, Manipur Md. Fajur Rahim, MLA Paonam Brojen, Chief Secretary P.C. Lawmkunga, IAS, and Members of MSMC Prof. M.S. Ningomba and Rev. N. Devendra Singh as Chief Guest, President and Guests of Honour.
Giving the key-note address, Secretary of MSMC Prof. Abdul Hakim Shah stated the significance of the day. He said it was on December 18 in 1992 that 192 member nations approved the UN Declaration on Minority Rights which states that “States shall protect the existence of the National or Ethnic, Religions and Linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and encourage conditions for their promotion of that identity.” In 1992 the National Commission for Minorities Act was passed and the National Commission for Minorities was instituted. Since then the nation has been observing Minorities Rights Day. In Manipur the MSMC was instituted in 2004. In 2010 the State Assembly passed the Manipur State Minorities Commission Act and made the Commission a statutory body. The Commission has been protecting and safeguarding the rights of minorities in the State, Shah added.
Due to some inconveniences the Commission could not observe the Minorities Rights Day on Dec. 18, Shah further said.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh assured that the State Government would protect the rights of the minorities and also take up all possible steps to ensure full benefits of all the welfare schemes to them. The Constitution of India outlines and protects the rights of every citizen of this country. No one can discriminate the rights of the minorities. The State Government will not spare any individual who poses threat to the unity and integrity of the state by inciting communal tension. Befitting actions will be rewarded to the individual who commit the act. In Manipur the different communities have been co-existing in peace and harmony, Singh added.
He further said that the officials of the State Minorities Commission and other intellectuals working for the development of minorities should come up with concrete suggestions to improve their condition. That way the Government can understand the grievances of the minorities. We would readily consider the suggestions and try to put into practice, he added.
He also said that the Chief Secretary of the State, P.C. Lawmkunga has been advised to monitor the welfare schemes taken up the Directorate of MOBC & SC for the minorities. If possible the Directorate of MOBC & SC will be bifurcated.
He also informed that any cash incentive awarded under the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs including students’ scholarship would be directly transferred to the respective beneficiary’s bank account. The system of direct cash handling has been stopped to check malpractices. So the beneficiaries of Post and Pre-Metric Scholarship Scheme of the State should open their own personal bank accounts. The money will be disbursed directly through the bank accounts of the students, he added.
Chairperson of MSMC, A Halim Choudhury requested the State Government to increase the number of staff of the State Minorities Commission for its smooth functioning. He also said that the minority communities in the remote areas of the State need to be given proper awareness on various aspects of development. However shortage of funds hindered the Commission in giving awareness to the minorities in the remote areas of the State.
Project Director of Minorities and Other Backward Classes Economic Development Society (MOBEDS), Md. Salauddin Khan gave the highlights of the programmes and schemes taken up by the Directorate of MOBC & SC for the welfare of the minorities of the State.
The observance function was attended by representatives of different minority communities and Government officials.