Manipur CM distributes appointment forms to 93 candidates under die-in-harness scheme
Synopsis
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh handed out appointment forms to 93 die-in-harness candidates for the Land Resources Department — the second such batch after 37 Excise Department appointments — while signalling that other departments may follow suit, in a quiet but consistent welfare-driven recruitment push across the state.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh distributed appointment offer forms to 93 candidates under the die-in-harness scheme for the Land Resources Department on 21 September 2026 .
The state had earlier appointed 37 candidates under the same scheme for the Excise Department .
Deputy Commissioners across districts simultaneously distributed forms, extending the programme's reach statewide.
The CM indicated other departments may also initiate die-in-harness recruitment in accordance with prescribed guidelines.
Separately, the CM met the Shirui Lily Festival Organising Committee to discuss development of Shirui Heritage Village in Ukhrul district .
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday, 21 September 2026, distributed appointment offer forms to 93 candidates under the die-in-harness scheme for the Land Resources Department, in a ceremony held at the Main Conference Hall of the Manipur Civil Secretariat at Mantripukhri, Imphal. The scheme provides government employment to the dependants of deceased state employees.
Recruitment in Line with Rules
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh stated that recruitment under the die-in-harness scheme was being carried out strictly in accordance with prescribed rules and guidelines. He noted that the state government had earlier distributed appointment offer forms to 37 eligible candidates for the Excise Department under the same scheme, signalling a sustained push to fill vacancies across departments through this welfare mechanism.
Khemchand Singh expressed confidence that the induction of the new recruits would help the Land Resources Department address its long-pending workload and improve overall departmental functioning.
Expansion to Other Departments
The Chief Minister also indicated that other government departments could, wherever required, initiate their own recruitment processes under the die-in-harness scheme in accordance with prescribed guidelines. In keeping with Monday's programme, appointment offer forms were simultaneously distributed in various districts by the respective Deputy Commissioners, ensuring reach beyond the state capital.
The event was organised by the Land Resources Department and attended by Thokchom Kirankumar, Secretary of the Land Resources Department, along with administrative secretaries from several departments. Deputy Commissioners from multiple districts participated via video conferencing.
CM Meets Shirui Lily Festival Committee
Separately on the same day, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh met a delegation from the Shirui Lily Festival Organising Committee at his official bungalow. The delegation was led by Ram Muivah, Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Ukhrul Assembly constituency, and included Mayopam Shangh, Member of the Shirui Lily Festival Organising Committee, and Yungrei Shangh, Headman of Chingthak village.
During the meeting, discussions centred on the development of the Shirui Heritage Village. The annual Shirui Lily Festival, organised by the Manipur Tourism Department, is held in Ukhrul district and celebrates the state flower — the Shirui Lily — a rare and endangered bloom found exclusively on the Shirui Hills in Ukhrul and, according to experts, cannot be successfully replanted anywhere else in the world.
Significance of the Shirui Lily Festival
The festival, observed during the peak blooming season of the Shirui Lily, serves primarily to spread awareness about and promote the conservation of the endangered flower. It also brings together people from diverse communities and tribes, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the scenic Ukhrul district — one of Manipur's highest hill stations — and engage with the culture and traditions of the Tangkhul Naga tribe of the region.
With discussions on heritage village development now underway, the upcoming festival edition is expected to carry added significance for both conservation efforts and community tourism in Manipur.
Point of View
Now 93 for the Land Resources Department — suggest a deliberate sequencing of welfare appointments by the Khemchand Singh government rather than a one-off gesture. In a conflict-affected state where families of deceased government servants often wait years for mandated relief, the pace of execution matters as much as the announcement. The open invitation for other departments to follow through is worth monitoring: if the recruitment remains genuinely rule-bound and transparent, it could set a replicable template; if it becomes a political instrument, the scheme's legal safeguards will face scrutiny. Mainstream coverage rarely tracks the gap between appointment-form distribution and actual joining and payroll — that follow-through is where welfare schemes often stall.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the die-in-harness scheme in Manipur?
The die-in-harness scheme provides government employment to the eligible dependants of a state government employee who dies while still in service. It is governed by prescribed rules and guidelines and is meant to offer financial security to the bereaved family.
How many candidates received appointment forms in Monday's event?
A total of 93 candidates received appointment offer forms for the Land Resources Department at the ceremony held at the Manipur Civil Secretariat on 21 September 2026. This follows an earlier distribution of forms to 37 candidates for the Excise Department under the same scheme.
Who attended the appointment distribution programme?
The event was attended by Thokchom Kirankumar, Secretary of the Land Resources Department, administrative secretaries of various state departments, and Deputy Commissioners from multiple districts who joined via video conferencing. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh presided over the ceremony.
What was discussed at the Shirui Lily Festival meeting?
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh met a delegation led by Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah to discuss the development of Shirui Heritage Village. The Shirui Lily Festival is held annually in Ukhrul district to promote conservation of the Shirui Lily, Manipur's rare and endangered state flower found exclusively on the Shirui Hills.
Can other Manipur government departments also use the die-in-harness scheme?
Yes. Chief Minister Khemchand Singh stated on Monday that other government departments may initiate recruitment under the die-in-harness scheme wherever required, provided they follow the prescribed guidelines.
