Authority: High Court of Manipur at Imphal

Order Date: 06.11.2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Development for Hills (Society Regn. No. 100/UD/SR/1992) and Mapithel Arts and Culture (Regn. No. 06/KMJ/SR/2020), represented by Senior Advocate N. Jotendro (instructed by Md. Abdul Baqee Khan).
  • Respondents: Union of India (Ministry of Tribal Affairs) and the State of Manipur (Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Commissioner, Tribal Affairs & Hills Department, and Director, Tribal Affairs & Hills).
  • Core Issue: Alleged inequitable distribution of Grants‑in‑Aid under Article 275(1) of the Constitution for the financial years 2025‑26 onward, specifically that ten multipurpose‑cum‑community halls were allocated solely to Kangpokpi district and livelihood‑scheme households were heavily skewed toward Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts.
  • Representations: Five representations dated 02‑05‑2026, 26‑05‑2026, 03‑06‑2026 (two entries) and an undated one were sent to the Additional Chief Secretary but received no response, prompting the filing of PIL No. 21 of 2026 and MC No. 22 of 2026.
  • Prior Order: The Court had earlier disposed of PIL No. 13 of 2026 and the associated MC on 05‑08‑2026.
  • Court Observations: Recognised the Union (R‑1) as the formal grantor under Article 275(1); noted that the State officials (R‑2 to R‑4) must examine the representations; accepted notice from counsel for all respondents.

Final Outcome

  • The Court directed the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Commissioner, Tribal Affairs & Hills (R‑3) to consider the five representations, issue a speaking order disposing of them within six weeks, i.e., on or before 16‑09‑2026, and serve the order on counsel Md. Abdul Baqee Khan within three working days.
  • The Court further directed the State (R‑2) to dispose of three later representations dated 09‑09‑2026 and 14‑10‑2026 (two) within six weeks, i.e., on or before 18‑12‑2026, and serve the common speaking order on counsel Syed Murtaza Ahmed within five working days.
  • The main PIL and the associated miscellaneous case are hereby closed, subject to the above directions; all rights and contentions of the parties are preserved for any further proceedings.
  • No order as to costs was made.

Topics: Grants‑in‑Aid, Tribal Development