IMPHAL, March 4: The Zelaingrong Students’ Union Manipur has said that it has served a legal notice of one week to the Tourism Director, Government of Manipur with similar notice informing to the Secretary, Tourism, and the Director, Manipur Development Society, government of Manipur on February 25 regarding the non-execution and implementation of works for construction of Integrated Tourist Circuits linking Barak Water Falls, Zeilad lakes, Tharon Cave and Bunning Meadow at Tamenglong district for a sum of Rs.780.81 lakh sanctioned by the government of India through Ministry of Tourism vide letter No.6-ENE-(3/2012) dared March 31, 2013.
According to a release of the union, despite admitting the deposit of Rs.78.08 lakh out of the total amount with Manipur Development Society by the Department of Tourism in response to the RTI application queries filed by the union, on September 21, however no sign of work has been taken up by the Manipur Development Society or any agency at the location.
Although the union has conducted inspection at the construction site to ascertain the works, no works were carried out till date which led to the suspicion that the development fund has been misused or misappropriated, it said.
In order to check whether the development funds are utilized judiciously and purposefully, the RTI was invoked thereby the non-execution and non implementation of developmental works by the department of Tourism, Government of Manipur despite the fact of necessary fund had already been sanctioned by the Central Government was came to light, it said.