Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 08:
Selection of beneficiaries on the sly has been alleged in providing 20 numbers of dish antennas as part of the Centre's policy to expand telecast of television programmes broadcast by Doordarshan.
The supply of dish antenna free of cost was meant for individuals/organizations settled at areas where the television signal relayed/broadcast by DDK is weak.
Special emphasis was to be given for those people residing in places like Tadubi and Purul of Senapati district, Motbung and Saikul of Sadar Hills, Kamjong and Kasom Khullen in Ukhrul, Chakpikarong, New Somtal, Chandel Christian of Chandel district, Tipaimukh and Samu Lamlong within Churachandpur district, Tamei-Nungba in Tamenglong district, Andro, Nongpok Keithelmanbi, Poirou Konjil of Imphal East district, Mekola, Kekru and Thiyam Konjil of Imphal West district and Saiton of Bishnupur district.
According to sources out of 100 dish antennas earmarked for Manipur 20 persons were to benefit in the first phase with DDK, Imphal as the distribution authority.
As the number of persons applying for the item hardly matched the number reserved for Manipur State and with deadline set by the Prashar Bharati drawing close, the DDK, Imphal authorities invited interested persons to apply through the State's Department of Information and Public Relations before the deadline expires, explained the source.
The number of applicants subsequently reached an overwhelming 448 as per record maintained by the DIPR which then forwarded the list to DDK and Prashar Bharati.
With no further intimation from the DDK and number of complaints to DIPR rapidly on the rise, the DIPR Director approached the DDK officials seeking information on the matter after which the latter conveyed that installed 20 KU band transmission antennas have been installed at selected sites.
When the list of selected beneficiaries were produced by the DDK officials names of three selected persons were found to be absent from the original list of application submitted through the DIPR.
Out of the 20 first phase beneficiaries Imphal East and Senapati accounted for six, two each from Chandel and Thoubal and one from Imphal West while Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Bishnupur district were not accommodated.