Imphal: The Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Manipur, organised the ninth session of its “Meet the Press” series today at the DIPR Auditorium Hall, Nityaipat Chuthek, Imphal West. The session featured officials of the Directorate of Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC) and Minority Affairs, Government of Manipur, who highlighted the Department’s flagship schemes and major developmental initiatives being implemented across the State.
The department was represented by Dr. Yumnam Suraj Singh, Director, OBC & SC and Minority Affairs; Linda Ningombam, Joint Director, OBC & SC and Minority Affairs; Md. Salaudin Khan, Joint Director, Minority Affairs; K. Ricky Sharma, Field Inspector, Minority Affairs; and M. Ranjita, Field Inspector, Minority Affairs.
Addressing media persons, Dr. Yumnam Suraj Singh stated that the Directorate of OBC & SC Welfare is committed to the socio-economic and educational development of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the State. He informed that the Directorate is implementing several Centrally Sponsored Schemes under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, along with various State Plan programmes.
Highlighting educational support initiatives, he said that financial assistance is provided to eligible OBC and SC students through Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes, covering studies up to the Ph.D. level under a 90:10 Centre-State funding pattern, with an annual family income ceiling of ₹2.50 lakh. During the last four academic years, 771 OBC Pre-Matric, 98,631 OBC Post-Matric, 3,445 SC Pre-Matric and 25,406 SC Post-Matric scholarships were awarded. He further informed that online applications for the 2026-27 academic session are being accepted through the National Scholarship Portal till September 30, 2026.
Dr. Suraj Singh also highlighted the construction of two 100-bedded OBC Boys’ Hostels at Sainik School, Imphal, each costing ₹3.50 crore, which are nearing completion and will provide quality residential facilities for students.
Speaking on the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), he said the flagship programme aims to improve the socio-economic condition of Scheduled Castes through village development, livelihood promotion, skill development and infrastructure creation. Under its Adarsh Gram Component, 20 out of 21 selected SC-majority villages in Manipur have been declared Adarsh Grams since 2018-19. Under the Grants-in-Aid Component, a Perspective Plan worth ₹2,195.25 lakh has been approved for 2023-24 to 2025-26, benefiting 2,880 beneficiaries through skill training, income-generating activities and infrastructure support. In addition, an Annual Action Plan worth ₹2,284.73 lakh has been submitted for 2026-27. Under the Hostel Component, eight 100-bedded hostels for Scheduled Caste students are under construction with 100 per cent Central funding, of which five are nearing completion.
He further stated that the Directorate is implementing the State-funded Economic Skill Development Programme (ESDP), which provides NSQF-compliant skill training along with toolkits to successful trainees. During 2025-26, the programme targets 1,363 beneficiaries, including General, OBC, SC communities and IDPs, with a total project cost of ₹135.89 lakh.
He also highlighted the Chief Minister’s Lairik Heiminnashi Programme, under which six months of free remedial coaching is provided to OBC and SC students studying in Classes VIII to XII. During 2025-26, an outlay of ₹60 lakh has been approved for 10 coaching centres benefiting 1,040 students.
Dr. Suraj Singh said the Directorate has accorded special priority to the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons. Under the ESDP Scheme, 771 OBC and SC IDPs received skill training during 2023-24, while 509 beneficiaries were covered during 2024-25. For 2025-26, 681 OBC and SC IDPs have been proposed for skill training. Similarly, under the PM-AJAY Grants-in-Aid Component, 1,440 SC IDPs have been proposed for skill training during 2023-24 to 2025-26. Altogether, 3,401 OBC and SC IDPs are expected to benefit under these initiatives with a cumulative outlay of ₹10.59 crore.
He reaffirmed the Directorate’s commitment to ensuring inclusive growth through enhanced educational opportunities, skill development, improved infrastructure and empowerment of socially and economically disadvantaged communities.
Speaking on the Minority Affairs Department, Dr. Suraj Singh said the Department is implementing various schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, along with State-funded programmes for the welfare and socio-economic development of minority communities, with emphasis on education, infrastructure, skill development and support for Internally Displaced Persons.
He informed that under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), which focuses on community infrastructure development in areas with more than 25 per cent minority population within a 15-kilometre radius, a total of 650 projects comprising 17,799 units have been approved in Manipur since the 11th Five-Year Plan at a total cost of ₹1,183.63 crore. Of these, 17,755 units have been completed, 41 are under implementation and three have been dropped.
For the financial year 2026-27, ₹50.56 crore has been released by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the State Government, of which ₹13.51 crore has already been utilised. During 2025-26 and 2026-27, eleven projects worth ₹69.07 crore have been inaugurated, while eight additional projects costing ₹31.25 crore are ready for inauguration.
He further informed that major PMJVK infrastructure projects include the development of Tamenglong College, Pettigrew College, Ukhrul, construction of ten Working Women Hostels, thirteen Model Residential Schools and several other public infrastructure projects in minority concentration areas.
Dr. Suraj Singh also highlighted the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme, which promotes skill development among minority youth and preserves intangible cultural heritage. Under the scheme, 26 projects worth ₹298.39 crore have been submitted to the Ministry for approval during 2025-26.
The Minority Affairs Department is also implementing the Economic and Skill Development Programme (ESDP), under which NSQF-compliant skill training and toolkits are provided to successful trainees. During 2025-26, online applications are being received through the departmental portal. The programme aims to benefit 1,069 beneficiaries, comprising 50 per cent general minority population and 50 per cent Internally Displaced Persons, with a project cost of ₹1.07 crore.
Highlighting educational initiatives, he said the Chief Minister’s Lairik Heiminnashi Programme provides six months of free remedial coaching for minority students from Classes VIII to XII. During 2024-25, coaching was successfully conducted in 12 centres benefiting 1,342 students. For 2025-26, an outlay of ₹60 lakh has been approved for nine coaching centres with a target of 920 students.
He further stated that under the Economic and Skill Development Programme, 753 minority IDPs received skill training during 2023-24. Another 391 minority IDPs have been proposed for training during 2024-25 and 535 during 2025-26. Altogether, 1,679 minority IDPs are expected to benefit under the programme with a cumulative outlay of ₹2.25 crore.
Concluding the session, Dr. Suraj Singh reiterated that the Minority Affairs Department remains committed to ensuring inclusive development by strengthening infrastructure, promoting quality education, enhancing employability through skill development, preserving cultural heritage and improving the overall quality of life of minority communities across Manipur.
