Site for rest house inspected
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 10 2022:
Some quarters have raised strong suspicion that a number of Government buildings constructed within the area of Saitu-Gamphazol Sub-Divisional Office are being occupied by private parties.
Earlier, the State Government initiated due process to construct a guest house at Phoibi village for pilgrims coming to Koubru Leikha.
After the Government identified an area of two/three acres, there arose a dispute over land ownership as both Yangmol village and Phoibi village laid claims over the particular area.
Subsequent upon the dispute, the Government mulled over the idea of using a building located close to Shiva Temple at Koubru Leikha just beside Imphal-Dimapur Highway as a rest house.
The particular building was constructed as a guest house for tourists by the former Government headed by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi when TN Haokip was the Tourism Minister.
But the building served little purpose from the very beginning as there was no visitor.
As Chief Minister N Biren was keen to provide a rest house to pilgrims coming to Koubru Leikha, Saitu AC MLA Haokholet Kipgen, officials of Kangpokpi district administration and the Saitu-Gamphazol SDO inspected the building yesterday at the directive of the Chief Minister.
The team found that the building was used as classrooms of St Paul English School some years back and now it is being occupied by one villager of Phoibi village at the instance of Phoibi village chief.
As the team led by Haokholet Kipgen reached the area, the Phoibi village chief too came there.
The village chief said that the building was constructed after a deed was signed between the Government and Phoibi village regarding its site.
The then Tourism Minister handed over the building to Phoibi village with an instruction to look after it saying that the Government had no money to pay salary to any Chowkidar.
Later, MLA Haokholet Kipgen, officials of Kangpokpi district administration and the Saitu-Gamphazol SDO held a meeting at the SDO's office.
After the meeting, the MLA asked the district officials and the Saitu-Gamphazol SDO to find out how many buildings constructed with Government funds are there in Saitu-Gamphazol area and how they are being used.
The MLA added that the same report would be forwarded to the Chief Minister's Office.