HC issues notice on fund misuse
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 22, 2012:
The Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench today issued a notice of motion against the respondents in connection with a writ petition filed by three RTI activists from Top Dusara Mayai Leikai, Imphal East district over alleged misappropriation of fund released exclusively under 12th Finance Commission Awards, 13th Finance Commission Award and State Finance Commission Award for taking up developmental programmes such as construction of crematoriums, community halls, construction/renovation of public ponds, market shed, improvement of public toilet, etc in and around Top Dusara Gram Panchayat area.
The respondents listed in the petition include the state of Manipur through Principal Secretary/Commissioner (RD & PR); Executive Director of District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Imphal East district; Block Development Officer (BDO), Imphal East-II CD Block and Top Dusara Gram Panchayat, Imphal East -II CD Block, Imphal East District.
The notice of the court is returnable on February 14, 2012. The Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench headed by Justice Tayenjam Nandakumar Singh issued the notice of motion returnable on February 14, 2012, acting on the writ petition jointly filed by Keisham Ongbi Ibeton Devi, Langoijam Ongbi Romita Devi, Keisham Ongbi Prabha Devi and Laikhuram Ongbi Nirmala Devi of Top Dusara Mayai Leikai, Imphal East district.
Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate Meihoubam Rakesh contended that on May 26, 2011, the State Public Information Officer (SPIO)/Block Development Officer, Imphal East-II CD Block provided certain information regarding the work programmes taken up under the awards of 12th Finance Commission, 13th Finance Commission and the State Finance Commission in response to the application filed by one of the petitioners under the Rights to Information Act, 2005.The said information revealed that various work programmes meant for rural development of Top Dusara Panchayat have not been actually implemented/ executed after withdrawal of the funds released for the purpose by the functionaries of Top Dusara Gram Panchayat.
Thereafter, the petitioners have conducted a fact finding inspection/survey by visiting the spots where the development programmes are said to have been taken up.