Ukhrul SDO office makes dough levying students for certificate
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Ukhrul, August 02 2012:
In an act that can be termed as illegal levy, the Sub-Divisional Office (SDO) of Ukhrul was found charging money for obtaining certificate that is supposedly to be given free of cost to students.
The matter came to light on Thursday after an aggrieved student approached and sought remedial action from Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL), which acted immediately and registered a compliant with Ukhrul Deputy Commssioner R.Sudhan.
On Thursday afternoon, a group of students from Manipur University went to obtain Distance Certificate from the SDO office and were caught with surprise after a staff (Circle Lambu) asked them to shell out Rs.50 per certificate.
After some negotiation, it was settled at Rs.50 for four certificates.
Aggrieved by the action of the staff of Ukhrul SDO, the students lodged a complaint with TKS and TMNL to apprise the authorities to put a stop to such illegal practices.
TKS president Yangmi Khapai has reiterated that such illegal act has been in practice for over the years and said that he had even personally lodged a complaint with Ukhrul DC in this regard in recent time.
"The Deputy Commissioner had given an assurance that such practices would not be permitted and action would be taken against anyone indulging...I was even told that the certificate for students should be given free of cost," he stated.
Acting on the compliant of TKS and TMNL, the DC has reportedly asked the Assistant Commissioner (AC) Peter Rang to take up necessary actions.
Consequently, the AC has directed the SDO Ukhrul to initiate "strict action against the concerned Lambu" .
In the AC's official letter, a copy of which was availed to Hueiyen Lanpao, the SDO has been directed to take "strict action if required even suspension" against the concerned Lambu.