Bandh costs Rs 36 crore, blockade Rs 3.09 crore per day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 22 2015: The State has been losing Rs 36 crore per day every time when there is a bandh or general strike and Rs 3.09 crore per day when there is economic blockade, according to a survey report.

The report was compiled by social worker Serto Tondana Kom after conducting a survey for 45 days on the economic losses caused by bandhs and blockades.

Serto Tondana Kom had already published another survey report which said that the people of Manipur lost Rs 35 crore on account of taking other routes when the new Sanjenthong bridge was under construction.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club this afternoon when the survey report was also spelt out before media persons, Serto Tondana Kom said that he conducted the survey in consultation with many experts as desired by Chief Minister O Ibobi to evaluate the economic losses suffered by the State on account of bandhs and blockades.

File photo of trucks stranded during a blockade and (R) Serto making a point

Notably, Chief Minister I Ibobi stated that the State Government would appreciate very much if some organisations/individuals make a comprehensive evaluation of the economic losses caused by bandhs and blockades.

The Chief Minister said this in reference to the survey worked out to find the losses incurred when people had to take alternative routes when the construction of the new Sanjenthong was underway.

According to the Census reports of 1991, 2001 and 2011, the total population of Manipur was 18 lakhs, 22 lakhs and 28 lakhs respectively.

The decadal population growth rate varies from 4.56 lakh to 5.61 lakh and the average annual growth rate is 52,000 .

Calculated at this rate, the total population of Manipur is expected to reach around 30 lakh by 2015.Out of them, 14,47,862 constitute the working population.

The lowest rate of daily wage fixed by the Ministry of Labour is Rs 250 .

According to data received from the Intelligence wing of Manipur Police, there were 165 days of bandh or general strike in 2014 and there were 80 days of bandh or general strike till October this year, Serto said.

The total wage which should be received by the total working population in a day is Rs 36,19,65,500 (14,47,862X Rs 250) .

Calculated at this rate, the State lost Rs 5972 crore in 2014 and Rs 2895 crore in 2015, Serto elaborated.

There were 19 days of economic blockade in 2014 and 24 days of economic blockade till October this year.

Quoting the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union general secretary M Anil Meitei, Serto said that around 360 trucks have been shipping in goods to the State.

Assuming that the State's per capita income is Rs 44,471 in 2014-15, it was found that the State lost Rs 3.09 crore every day on account of economic blockade.

In total, the State lost Rs 58.71 crore in 2014 and another Rs 74.16 crore this year on account of economic blockade, Serto said.

Although the negative impacts of bandhs and blockades on the economy of Manipur are understood by most people, many organisations and individuals have been using bandhs and blockades as effective tools for exerting pressure on the Government.

Blockade, by its very nature, is a highly offensive politico-military strategy and the Japanese troops imposed blockade in Manipur in 1943 during the Second World War.

In the post Second World War period, ANSAM imposed blockade in Manipur in 1981, he said.

Since then, blockades have become a regular feature in the State.

Between 1981 and 2000, there were 60 episodes of bandhs and blockades on National Highways and altogether 340 days were affected.

Out of the total 365 days, 224 days were affected by bandhs and blockades in 2010, Serto continued.

What is more disturbing is the State's failure to respond immediately when some organisations call bandh or blockade.

As such, bandhs and blockades have become a chronic issue in the State.

If the survey report can open eyes of a few people, all the efforts invested to compile the report would be considered fruitful, said 29 year old Serto Tondana Kom who hails from Hermontlang village, Samulamlan Block, Churachandpur district.