“Grimy Management and Corruption in NRHM, Manipur”

Dr.Joychandra Singh

National Rural Health Mission was launched by government of India for the health well being especially for the rural area with major focus on women and child health. Manipur is one of the 16 high focus states where the same mission was launched in year 2005. However, the way it has been implemented in the State of Manipur, has not been in a systematic way since the beginning of the mission.

Unlike Manipur, in other States, the head of the mission i.e. Mission Director of State NRHM does not change quite often. However, in our State, the post of State Mission Director has always been acting like a musical chair which has always been occupied by non-Manipuri IAS officers, and functioning in whatever the way they want. On should also remember that there are also many IAS officers posted in the State of Manipur who all are son of this soil (Manipur). In addition to this, if the present State Program Manager (Mrs. Manota) is capable enough to handle such a big and critical central scheme – is also questionable? In other State persons having technical background (subject like MBA, MPH) or relevant work experience are appointed as State program Manager of the State NRHM. However, in case of our State Manipur everyone will be so sad to know the background of State Program Manager- Mrs. Manota. The fact is that she has passed out of Pune University in year 2004 by doing M.sc. Health Science and not public health. After completing M.Sc., she join “Heritage Convent”, of Uripok, Imphal West, as a teacher for pre-nursery/nursery students. This shows that before joining NRHM her background is a simple M.Sc degree with experience in teaching rhymes and “A for Apple” to nursery/pre-nursery students. Therefore, it is really a surprise to know what make the State at that point of time to appoint such a person for such a critical and responsible position and mission.

As far as the present State Mission Director – Mr. Deves Deval is concerned; he has been in the State for quite some-time, and taking care of few departments. In addition to NRHM he is also with Home Department. However, so far he has not made any countable/important contribution to the mission. If someone asks him, he himself will not be in a position to explain or inform about his contribution to the mission. Even the existing problem related to “Staff Salary” is also because of such careless Mission Director and non-qualified and incapable State Program Manager. Therefore, both State Program Manager and the Mission Director should resign from their respective post on moral ground as they have been miss-managing everything.

The way various articles have been published recently in local newspapers about the mismanagement of NRHM program and fund in the state, a time will definitely come where the central government might even stop providing NRHM fund to our State. If such situation arises, the lost will be of the general public and not for Mr. Deves Deval and Mrs. Manota as they have earned enough by mismanaging the fund.

For the well being of all and for proper implementation of mission in the State, it is very much necessary to suspend both the State Mission Director and State Program Manager if they are resigning on moral ground. State Government especially the office of the Health/Medical Minister should take the matter on priority, and intervene, and take necessary action before it is too late (before public outcry/procession).

(The views expressed by the author are personal)