Be sincere in implementing welfare schemes: IPAK
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 05 2020: The Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) has urged the State Government to be sincere in implementing welfare schemes in the State to ensure its benefit to all.

IPAK in a statement said that there are reports of many discrepancies in MGNREGA implementation, above the association's own findings, which need to be taken care of so that the benefit of the scheme reaches all job-card holders.

The use of machines in MGNREGS work programmes, which is against the rule continues despite repeated complaints to the concerned authorities and as such it is evident that many officials including Zilla Parishads, Pradhans, Ward Members and even MLA are involved in such wrongdoings.

IPAK has come across reports of these people illegally collecting money from the job-card holders either by using machines and reducing the wages or by letting job-card holders work fewer man-days (work days) than the original number of days and cutting the wages, the statement said.

The concerned authorities have hardly taken up any visible action despite complaints about the grievances and anomalies, it said while adding that there is strong suspicion of a link between these officials and those village level representatives.

The post-independence situation in the country and the State in particular, is more or less the same to the British colonial period where the colonial rulers exploited the country, and now these selfish and irresponsible representatives are looting the poor in broad daylight, it said.

To address the issue once and for all and help the poor alleviate their economic condition through welfare schemes, the Government should work responsibly by acknowledging and addressing the grievances of the public, IPAK said while urging the Government to make the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption unit into a full fledged department.

The people of India, even after 7 decades of Independence, are yet to enjoy the true sense of democracy and it all depends on the sincerity of elected members, executives and effective implementation of welfare schemes, the statement continued.

If the people are to be exploited continuously, then the country is nothing less than a concentration camp, it said while urging the Government to take proactive actions and eradicate corruption starting from the ground level, the IPAK said with a pledge to support any measures taken up by the Government for the welfare of the people.

The overall improvement of socio-economic condition and self-reliance greatly depend on effective and good governance, IPAK said and lauded RD&PR Minister, Th Biswajit for the recent on spot inspection over a complaint made by a woman regarding MGNREGS work.

The association is eagerly waiting for further actions from the Minister and department concerned, it continued.

IPAK also appealed to all to report cases of mismanagement, swindling of funds and other issues related to MGNREGA and other welfare schemes through social media, print and electronic media without any hesitation so that it reaches the Government directly.

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