IMPHAL, Feb 3: Under the funding of the Central government through the project Assist, deputy commissioner Imphal East today handed over Rs 9000 each to seven children of the district who have been affected by communal, caste, ethnic and terrorist violence.
According to representatives of the foundation which is behind the project, the assistance is provided to children who are affected by various forms of violence including communal, caste related, ethnic related and other terrorist acts. Under the scheme, the children, rendered destitute or orphaned in violence on or after July 24, 1991, whose families are below the poverty line are being provided assistance by the Foundation to meet any expenditure towards their education and care including cost of their textbooks, stationery, food, clothing, healthcare and recreation, etc till the child attains the age of 18 years. In exceptional cases this can be extended up to 21 years. The assistance is available to all eligible children in the family without any restriction of number.
Seven children have been conferred the scheme by the Imphal East DC today , namely siblings RK Taibangnganbi Chanu ,Yaiberelsana Mangang and Prithibingamba born of RK Sakuntala Leima , wife of Late RK Sanayai of Nungrei Litan Makhong allegedly killed by PREPAK outfit at Kangla Siphai Makha Leikai.
Uttarani Hijam and Othello born of Hijam Sunibala w/o late Dhananjoy of Chingarel Tejpur ,allegedly killed by UGs at Tengnoupal and Aribam Bhirukumar and Chelsea , born of A Usharani w/o Basantakumar of Bhramapur Thangjam Leikai ,allegedly killed by KCP at Akampat.The children have been conferred sash incentives of Rs 9,000 by the DC.
It may be mentioned that, as on March 31, 2010. The Foundation extended help to 10, 431 children under project `Assist` in 20 states/ union territories in nearly 140 districts of the country. The Foundation is specifically concerned about the coverage of destitute children affected by terrorist or similar kind of extremist violence in the North East- Region. The scheme is already in operation in the states of Manipur, Assam and Nagaland. As on August 31, 2010 there are as many as 1,853 children covered under this scheme in the state of Manipur. A total of 41 children have been rendered out of scheme and 1444 are still on live register. It is seen that assistance in respect of 647 children is updated (since their assistance is provided up to 31.12.2010), but remaining children are still awaiting assistance whose payment have been held up. The Foundation is largely dependent on the state government, particularly the district administrations, to process and complete the procedural formalities e.g. completion of the application forms, sending their recommendations, renewal of assistance, etc. District administrations, at many places do not recommend the cases particularly for renewal of assistance in terms of the guidelines laid down thereof. Because of non-receipt of recommendations, documents, etc. of the children in conformity of the guidelines, the foundation is unable to release assistance in these cases. Consequently, the children are compelled to wait for assistance not only for the current academic year but also for the previous couple of years. The foundation has been taking up the mailer of pending cases with state government at different levels including the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and the District Magistrates/Deputy Commissioners. It is in this context that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs is seriously concerned about the pending cases in Manipur desirous of covering more and more number of such deserving children in the ambit of this scheme.
