IMPHAL, June 21: 16-Sekmai Assembly constituency under Imphal West District is a reserved seat for Scheduled Caste but it is surprising that there is no SC village recognised by the government in the constituency.
This was stated by MLA Th Shyamkumar of 7-Andro Assembly constituency during question and answer session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
How many government recognised SC villages are there in Manipur? If there is any, under what districts are the villages? This was the question asked by MLA Shyamkumar during the question and answer session today.
Replying to the questions, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh who is also in charge of the Minorities and other Backward classes (MOBC) said that there is no scheduled caste village recognized by the Manipur government in Manipur.
Expressing displeasure and surprise over the Chief Minister’s answer, the MLA said that it is cited in the report submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the government of India on June 18, 1965 that there are eight SC villages in Manipur.
The villages are Sekmai, Andro, Kwatha, Leimaram, Phayeng, Koutruk, Kwatha Lamkhai, he continued.
Besides the report, 16-Sekmai Assembly Constituency is the reserved seat for Scheduled Caste; he informed and asked how come there is no scheduled caste village.
He raised the matter on the floor of the House that 2500 scheduled caste certificates were issued in Thoubal District alone.
Participating in the question and answer session, MLA Khwairakpam Devendro Singh of Sekmai A/C said that it is cited in Manipur Gazette published in 1994 regarding SC villages.
After hearing the statements, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh who is also the leader of the House maintained that what the members of the House said was true before adding that there is a total of nine scheduled caste villages including Thoubal Khunou. But the said villages are not revenue identified SC villages, he informed and expressed his desire about a joint public forum to be formed and holding of discussion to adopt a resolution.