In the same manner demons devouring helpless living things the rich and famous men in Imphal have misused the fund that belongs to the poor and needy people living in the hills of Manipur. The fund meant for the highlanders have ended up being devoured by the leaders residing in Imphal valley. This is one serious issue, which has been raised by civil organisations. There is truth in this allegation. At the end the losers happen to be those, who live in the far flung areas, who cannot afford to move out to get the essential commodities at Government controlled price. Rice given by the Government through FCS Deptt to the agents for on ward transfer to the highlanders are sold away at the business centres in Imphal at cheap price. They make hefty money out of doing that clandestine business. Nothing can stop them from doing the illegal business. Until realisation dawns in the minds of the wrong doers the highlanders will continue to suffer. Forget rice even the roofing sheets given by the Government to the beneficiaries are also sold away here in Imphal and the beneficiaries return home with their pockets filled with money. Too many road construction prpgrammes were taken up in the hills of the state but the elected leaders in collusion with the contractors would devour the fund without doing anything. The absence of proper mechanism to inspect the works done at the hills has encouraged the wrong doers to commit the crime of their choice again and again. The decision of the Manipur Government to form a committee to look into the fund disbursement of hills and plain areas will be able to suggest ways and means to check misuse of funds by elements detrimental to the well being of the society. Both hills and plain should develop at the same par. It is really amazing the representatives of the hills do not open their mouth despite knowing the fact that the poor men’s funds have been looted by rich and famous men in Imphal. Manipur needs to have properly maintained roads as there is no means other than roads to connect villages across the state. Likewise there should be properly maintained drainage system. All these things can be achieved when developmental programmes are taken up under the strict supervision of people’s representatives. In the valley areas no representative can return to assembly unless he or she can take up roads and drainages construction in their constituency. Similar attitude needs to be shown to the tribal leaders hailing from different constituencies. Do not give votes to the candidates, who cannot repair even the roads in their constituencies. In doing that they will be reminded how people look to the people’s representatives. They enjoy the term enjoying cosy life style in Imphal staying in the spacious Government quarters and then they come to the voters with folded hands to get blessings. You all have been befooled several times do not allow to be deceived again. Scrutinise their activities during the five year term. The Government of India have given you the power for doing that. By using RTI you can know how the funds were used or misused. That will bring a change that will be for the betterment of all.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/highlanders-fund-misused/
