Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 19:
Accusing that crores of public money funded under National Bamboo Mission has been misappropriated by the officials of Forest Department, Manipur Hill Areas Bamboo Entrepreneurs Association (MAHABEA) drew the attention of the authorities, Minister concerned and social organisations to investigate into the matter and bring the culprits into book.
The Association stated that MAHABEA submitted a project report to the State Level Bamboo Co-ordination Committee Manipur made as per guidelines of National Bamboo Mission.
The proposal report was supposed to table the said report to the National Level Steering Committee, the association said and added that State Committee, however failed to do so at the NBM meeting convened on January 17 last at Delhi.
At this juncture, the huge numbers of bamboo nurseries which were prepared by the trained farmers of the association with the hope of NBM fund are ready for plantation.
The farmers, however, are not able to carry out the plantation works as required fund is still in the cloud, the association added.
Sensing a great loss, MAHABEA filed a writ petition against the State Forest Department through Guwahati High Court.
However, to everybody's surprise, Forest Department Deputy Secretary Lalkimi filed a counter affidavit to the same Court refusing the existence of the State Level Bamboo Co-ordination Committee, MAHABEA added.
The association said that the State committee was constituted by the order of the Government of Manipur Vide order number 3/32(3) 2003/Plg, dated February 11, 2005, issued by Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh.