Corruption-free Manipur resolve under scrutiny
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: November 25, 2022 -

THE government might brush off the allegations levelled by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) regarding misuse of funds provisioned for road development projects under the centrally-sponsored PMGSY as political vendetta but one can't ignore the aspersions cast by MGNREGS job card holders of Changamdabi gram Panchayat in Thoubal district on elected representatives of a local body and bank officials after their cumulative wages deposited in the bank were found withdrawn without their knowledge.

As both the schemes are majorly funded by the Union government there is no reason why the state government should try to sweep the matter under the carpet for it is obvious that the centre would be keeping a close tab on utilisation of the funds released and status of the projects sanctioned.

Under no circumstances should the state government live under the impression that the series of visits by union ministers and officials despatched by the central government are simply for pleasure trips.

Since formation of the BJP-led government at the centre in 2014 under the prime ministership of Narendra Modi, there has been no serious corruption charge, as on date, with exception of the opposition parties accusing the incumbent government of favouring the corporate world, that too through the media platforms.

By virtue of implementing infrastructure development projects across the country at encouraging pace and launching people-centric welfare schemes and programmes coupled with stability in the socio-political parameter, the country's economic growth index now figures among the top five countries, consequently diluting tirade by the opposition leaders and their consistent branding of the Modi government as anti-people and anti-poor.

Compared to the combined derisive statements and outcries by the opposition parties unable to make much of an impression vis-a-vis performance of the Union government, here in Manipur whenever the Congress party leaders and functionaries step out of their office for inspection of schemes or projects, the findings have been generally in contradiction of the state government's claim of speedy uniform development.

If executed judiciously, the special schemes that envision socio-economic wellbeing of all citizens, with particular emphasis towards facilitating the least fortunate section of the society, will certainly help the government's endeavour to raise the quotient of contentment in the society to a great extent:

As such, the latest salvo from Congress party president K Meghachandra that several roads in Noney district which were programmed for development under PMGSY fund aren't implemented as specified despite withdrawal of fund underscores that execution of projects funded by the centre or any other funding institutions are far from being satisfactory in the state.

It must be noted here that the state Congress chief recently exposed shortcomings in another road development project in Churachandpur district, following which an official of the engineering department was placed under suspension pending departmental proceedings.

While it is likely that Meghachandra's charges would be ridiculed and rejected, there is no reasoq why the government should miss the report that accrued amount of Rs 7000 to Rs 12,000 each for 50 job card holders registered under the MGNREGS were found withdrawn from their bank accounts without their knowledge.

In fact the matter merits investigation to expose possible nexus, if any, among unscrupulous elements.