Minority fund meant for the Chakmas remained unused in Arunachal

By Tejang Chakma


In 2008, the Government of India introduced Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) to address the development deficits in the minority concentrated districts across the country. The Ministry of Minority Affairs selected 90 Minority Concentrated Districts (MCDs) in 20 States and Union Territories including Arunachal Pradesh. In Arunachal Pradesh, seven districts namely East Kameng, Lower Subansiri, Changlang, Tirap, Tawang, West Kameng and Papumpare have been selected as MCDs.

The Changlang district falls under “A” category as both the socio-economic and basic amenities parameters are below the national average. Minority population is about 52.53% of the total population of the district according to the 2001 census. The Buddhists constitute 34.1% in the district. Majority of the Buddhists are Chakmas who resides in four circles namely Diyun, Miao, Kharsang and Bordumsa in the district.

In August 2010, the Empowered Committee of Ministry of Minority Affairs approved the construction of buildings of Government Secondary School, Diyun for a total cost of Rs.50 lakh under the MsDP. The construction included replacement of bamboo structure with Semi Permanent Type building into concrete brick buildings from classes 1 to X.

The Ministry released the first installment of the Central share (90%) in December 2010. The fund was received by the state government in January 2011. However, the construction of infrastructure of the school is yet to start. The construction works could have been undertaken during the school vacation.

Bamboo structure of a classroom of Diyun Govt. Sec. School

The condition including infrastructure of the school is dismal. The school is the only secondary level school for the entire Chakma population of Changlang district. As a result, overcrowding remains a recurring problem at Diyun school, thereby seriously affecting the quality of education.

The projects under the MsDP are supposed to be completed during the 11^th Five Year Plan period. The state government will have to return the fund if it remained unused. However, it is highly unlikely that the construction would be completed during this period as not much time is left.

The construction of the buildings could have solved half of the problem in the school.

The question is bound to arise. Are these minority students denied the benefit of the minority fund because they belong to the Chakma community?