IMPHAL, July 15: As announced earlier the Left parties of Manipur today, launched a weeklong democratic movement against corruption and to demand immediate measures to curb corruption in all spheres of public life.
Speaking at the launching function at Singjamei Thongam Leikai Aribam mandap, secretary Manipur State Council, Communist Party of India Dr M Nara stated that the present scarcity of fertilizers in the state is artificial and man-made which has arisen due to the rampant black marketing of fertilizers and the ever increasing self-centered businessmen in the state.
Further elaborating on the issue he stated that even though the government is trying to control the price and made available the fertilizers on subsidized rate, the immediate need in the present scarcity scenario is to educate and spread awareness amongst the people on how the fertilizers arrive in the state.
Further criticizing the Congress led central as well as the state governments, he added that all ills in the country have originated from corruption and as such the left parties is launching its weeklong movement against corruption in the state.
He further termed the use of money power during elections and involvement of the judiciary system in corruption as undemocratic and maintained the urgency to put a check on such practices in the country.
The weeklong movement which is a joint venture of the left parties of Manipur comprising of CPI, CPI (M), Forward Block and RSP has been organized as a platform against corruption and to demand adoption of effective Lokpal Bill legislation, National Judicial Commission to curb corruption in the high judiciary, stringent action against the rampant corruption fostered by the big business-politician nexus which has led to scandals such as the 2G spectrum and implementations of electoral reforms including introduction of proportional representation to check money power in elections and steps to unearth black money and repatriation of illegal money stashed abroad.
The weeklong democratic movement will conclude with a big demonstration in Jiribam.
Today’s launching event was also attended by members and representatives of CPI (M), CPI, CPI (M), Forward Block and RSP.
Tribal rights body charges TD of embezzling fund of Rs. 6 crore
IMPHAL, July 15 (Newmai News Network): Tribal Development (TD) department, government of Manipur that looks after the welfare of tribals of the state has been accused with serious allegation by Movement for Tribal People’s Rights Manipur (MTPRM) of fund embezzlement to the hefty tune of nearly Rs 6 crore of public money, and has demanded “transparency and justice” in the department from Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh who also holds additional charge of the department.
The tribal rights body has expressed “serious concern over the misappropriation of Rs 5.95 crore under Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan for the year 2010-11 in the state TD department.”
The TD department has already withdrawn Rs 3.64 crore from the Rs 4 crore public coffers purportedly for the implementation of agricultural and horticultural schemes using “fictitious and bogus” beneficiaries, said MTPRM general secretary Th Lupheng on Friday.
Another Rs 2.31 crore has also been withdrawn for aid to voluntary organizations, tribal weavers and artisans, using the same modus operandi, he said, adding that the department is not able to produce the beneficiary lists even as the APR lists are still missing.
MTPRM also alleged that post metric scholarship (PMS) for SC/ST students have also been misappropriated by TD department, leading to non-payment of the same till today.
Given the allegation of fund embezzlement against the department, MTPRM has urged chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh to conduct physical verification of the beneficiaries and to institute a high level inquiry into the allegation to bring about transparency and justice in the conduct of the department.
Committee set up for displaced villagers of Mapithel project
IMPHAL, July 15 (Newmai News Network): Two villages in Ukhrul district in Manipur displaced by Mapithel/Thoubal multi purpose project have on Friday formed a committee to look into the issue of rehabilitation and to implement various programs and projects meant for the dislodged villagers.
Due to the inevitable situation prevailing in the two displaced villages of Chadong and Lamlai Khunou, the people have decided to form a committee “Mapithel/Thoubal Dam Multi Purpose Project Displaced Villages Committee” to bring about amicable solution to the issue of rehabilitation, said the resolution of the meeting held on Friday at the conference hall of Tampha Hotel in Imphal.
The committee would be any implementing agency of various programs and projects, the meeting resolution added.
The meeting elected the following persons as the office bearers of the newly formed MTDMPDVC: MH Ngaranmi (president), Joy Siro (secretary), KS Vanganing (v. president), Ningreingam Kashung (jt. Secy.), Ashang Kasar (finance secy.), Mathotmi Jajo (information secy.) LK Bipin (accountant).
While Ks Ramthing, Js Jonathan, Mv Vareichung, Paisho Kashung, Haorei Mahongnao, Samson Kasar have been elected as members of the executive committee, James Kasar and Mahangmi Phungthar were elected ex officio members and LK Thanmi, MH Isau and MV Jonathan were elected as auditors of the body.
