Correspondent
IMPHAL, OCT 1 (NPN): Families of persons missing since the violent crisis erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023 will receive Rs 10 lakh each as financial assistance, after the state cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to extend the relief as a “one‑time special humanitarian measure.”
The decision covers 49 persons reported missing in connection with the violence, who remain untraced despite sustained search efforts. By law, a missing person is presumed dead only after seven years, but considering the hardship faced by families, the cabinet decided to relax norms and grant ex‑gratia comparable to that given to families of deceased victims. The state will incur Rs 4.90 crore from its funds to implement the measure. According to official sources, families of the missing had repeatedly urged the government to fulfill its constitutional responsibility and ensure their cases were not forgotten while seeking justice, accountability, and urgent action. The home department, while tabling the proposal, maintained that the suffering of these families was comparable to that of deceased victims’ families, who had already been compensated.
The cabinet also approved three other key proposals:
Enhancement of ex‑gratia for Army and CAPF personnel: The present rates of Rs 2 lakh for death and Rs 10,000 for injury, fixed in 2006, were deemed inadequate. The revised rates will now match those of state police personnel — Rs 10 lakh for death, Rs 2 lakh for permanent disability, Rs 1 lakh for grievous injury, and Rs 20,000 for simple injury. The expenditure will be borne by the state government.
Constitution of the fifth Manipur State Finance Commission (2026‑27 to 2030‑31): The commission, to be set up under Articles 243‑I and 243‑Y of the Constitution, will review finances of Panchayats and Municipalities, recommend sharing of state taxes and grants‑in‑aid with Panchayats, Autonomous District Councils, and Municipalities. It will consist of a chairman, members experienced in public affairs, and a secretary. The award period of the fourth commission will continue until the fifth commission’s action taken report is notified.
Enhancement of pension for retired journalists: Under the Manipur Working Journalists’ Pension Rules, 1996, the monthly pension will be raised from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000, while family pension for families of deceased journalists will be increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000. With 20 beneficiaries in each category, the annual requirement will rise from *Rs 31.20 lakh to Rs 40.80 lakh. The DIPR observed that the rates, last revised in 2020, no longer matched the present cost of living. The cabinet meeting was held at the secretariat hall in Imphal, attended by home minister Govindas Konthoujam, chief secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur, administrative secretaries and senior officials. Deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen joined via video conferencing.