DPPT stages protest rally over pending MGNREGA funds
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, February 23 2023:
District Panchayat Parishad Thoubal (DPPT) staged a protest rally from Khangabok to Thoubal DC gate today urging the State Government to disburse pending MGNREGA funds.
Aside from the non-release of pending liabilities funds, the protestors also called for the delayed 6th Panchayat election to be conducted and devolve power to the Panchayat.
Conducted under the supervision of the Manipur State Panchayat Parishad, the protest rally witnessed the participation of numerous pradhans, members and other officials under the District Panchayat Parishad Thoubal.
The protestors gathered at Lala Mandop in Khangabok Khullakpam Leikai around 11 am, passed through National Highway-102 and Thoubal SP office to finally reach DC Thoubal.
|
The rally was intercepted by a police team led by 2nd OC Sudhir of Thoubal PS.
Following this, a DPPT team of six members met with Thoubal DC and submitted a memorandum.
Notably the protestors wielded many placards with inscriptions such as "Enforce NEFMS (National Electronic Fund Management System) in Manipur", "Conduct Panchayat elections", "Devolve power to the Panchayat", "Release remunerations for job card holders of hill and valley areas" among others.
Speaking to media persons, Kh Rajmohon, a representative of DPPT and former Zilla Parishad Member of Khangabok shared that the Ministry of Panchayati Raj had released funds amounting to Rs 756 crore on June 23 of 2022 but out of this the State Government has still not disbursed Rs 406 crores.
" Despite repeated requests to the State Government to release the aforementioned MGNREGA funds for the financial year 2021-22, their appeals continue to fall on deaf ears", he added.
Urging the Government to disburse the funds owed to PRI members, he also appealed for the 6th Panchayat elections to be conducted speedily and devolve the powers of the PRIs to the Panchayat.
Heramani, another representative of DPPT cautioned that if their demands are not addressed then similar agitations will be launched across the remaining districts of the State.
Reportedly the protest rally was called off for the day after the DPPT members had a talk with Thoubal DC, Ahanthem Subhash and arrived at an agreement on certain issues.