Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 22:
At Kiyamgei Loukon where the State Government was planning to set National Institute of Technology (NIT), local people have started digging up irrigation canal under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The work on digging up of the irrigational canal to expand and dredge the already existing one has been taken up after Kiyamgei Gram Panchayat proposed for an over Rs 12 lakh project at Kiyamgei Loukon, the very site where the Government was planning to set up the NIT.
The Government has to give up its plan in the face of strong opposition from local people and various other civil organisations.
The proposed irrigation canal is expected to facilitate in draining out or pouring in water to the Loukon spreading over an area of 600 acres.
People of Kiyamgei area came out in large number today welcoming implementation of the NREG scheme and took part in digging up the canal.
The work of digging up the canal preceded a simple function attended by Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East Y Thamkishore, Pradhan of Kiyamgei Gram Panchayat Y Mombi Leima and Block Development Officer of Imphal East-II Ch Thambal as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking at the occasion, Thamkishore dwelled at length on the highlights of the scheme which would guarantee jobs to every households for 100 days in a year and said there is no connector in between and it is purely a scheme wherein the people themselves proposed and carried out the work.
No corruption would be tolerated at all, he added.
Out of total 1262 households in Kiyamgei area, 800 households applied for the job and on the fist day today, 500 people participated in digging up the canal.