The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) plays a crucial role in maintaining internal security and providing support to state governments, particularly in regions affected by public order disruptions. This article focuses on the central government’s efforts to provide relief and rehabilitation to individuals displaced due to ethnic clashes and other disruptions of public order in the North Eastern States.
Constitutional Mandate
While public order and police are primarily state subjects under the Indian Constitution, Article 355 empowers the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbances. In line with this mandate, the Ministry of Home Affairs continuously monitors the security situation and extends support to State Governments to maintain peace and harmony.
Special Assistance for Manipur
Given the prevailing law and order situation due to ethnic clashes in Manipur, the Central Government has extended special assistance to the State Government. This assistance is provided through three key schemes:
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One-time Special Assistance for Relief Camps: This scheme provides a one-time special assistance for the operation of relief camps for people displaced due to violence in Manipur. The amount approved for this is Rs. 101.75 crore, with Rs. 83.58 crore released till December 31, 2023.
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Special Package for Relief and Rehabilitation: A special package of Rs. 209.45 crore has been approved for the Government of Manipur to run relief and rehabilitation schemes for victims of ongoing law and order crises. Of this, Rs. 97.36 crore has been released till December 31, 2023.
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Scheme for Complementary Nutrition and Personal Hygiene: A scheme with an approved budget of Rs. 89.22 crore is in place to provide complementary nutrition and personal hygiene support to people living in relief camps. Of this, Rs. 22.30 crore has been released till December 31, 2023.
Financial Allocations and Releases
The total amount approved for these schemes is Rs. 400.42 crore, with Rs. 203.24 crore released till December 31, 2023. These funds are intended to provide immediate and essential support to those displaced by the violence.
Key Provisions of the Scheme
The schemes focus on providing:
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Operational support for relief camps.
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Financial aid for running relief and rehabilitation programs.
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Complementary nutrition and personal hygiene support.
Implementation and Monitoring
The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for the overall administration of these schemes. It monitors the situation closely and provides financial assistance to the state government based on their needs and the progress of implementation.
Conclusion
The Central Government’s special assistance to Manipur and other North Eastern States reflects its commitment to providing relief and rehabilitation to those affected by disruptions of public order. By providing financial support and resources, the government aims to mitigate the immediate impact of violence and facilitate the long-term recovery of affected communities. These measures are essential for maintaining peace, security, and harmony in the region.