Crores given to 'bogus affected victims': Shyamkumar
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 31 2015 :
Several crores of rupees have been misappropriated in the name of giving compensation to people whose lands would be submer-ged under water by Thoubal Multipurpose Project.
Talking to media persons at the project site today, MLA Th Shyamkumar said that the project site is located at the junction of Phungyar, Andro and Saikul Assembly constituencies.
Although it appears that the project is being executed with due emphasis on the qualitative aspect, compensations have been given to bo- gus people whose lists were compiled by some influential persons in cahoot with concerned officials.
Saying that he has no ill-feeling on leaving out down- stream people from the rehabilitation package, Shyam- kumar alleged that the concerned Minister and many officials were involved in swindling a huge amount of money which otherwise should be given to people living in the upstream of the project's earth dam.
The matter would be apprised to the Government of India so that all the wrongdoers are booked under the Liability Act.
In addition to bogus people who are non-existent and whose names are not found in voter lists, compensations were also given to people living in areas which are not affected by the project.
Altogether Rs 10.23 crore was released in the names of 73 people of Ramrei village including six widows.
Out of the 73 people, 33 persons are unknown to anybody.
The amount thus misappropriated would be sufficient to give compensation to people living in the downstream in addition to making new roads, Shyamkumar asserted.
If the Government fails to take up necessary action, the matter would be apprised to the Prime Minister and a petition would be filed at Court.
No vehicles having 10 or 12 wheels should venture within Andro A/C for neither the Government nor the concerned department has constructed any road fit for 10-wheelers or 12-wheelers in the Assembly segment.
Movement of heavy vehicles has torn all the major roads thereby causing serious inconveniences to the local people, Shyamkumar said.
He also conveyed gratitude to the Education Minister and the Education(S) Director for sending required strength of teachers to Government schools located within Andro A/C .