CPI launches 'Struggle Against Burning Issues of Manipur' agitation
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 01, 2012:
As a part of the month-long nationwide protest being spearheaded by CPI against price hike and various other problems faced by the public, CPI, Manipur State Council has also launched the "Struggle Against Burning Issues of Manipur" agitation in the state from today.
The launching function held at Rupmahal Theatre here was attended by hundreds of party members.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr M Nara, Secretary, CPI, Manipur State Council, pointed out that inadequate supply of power, potable water, double declaration of MBBS/BDS exam results, unchecked corruption, rise in price of petroleum products, bandhs and blockades, non availability of PDS items, human rights violations, etc, are among the numerous problems faced by the people of the state today.
Stating that even though there is no MLA of the party in the State Assembly, yet the party is fully concerned and dedicated towards solving the burning issues of the state, Dr Nara alleged that Congress party pays no heed to the hopes and aspirations of the common people and it remains confined to its own interest.
That is why, the Congress is insisting on introducing a Bill for appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries, which had earlier been rejected by the Governor, he asserted.
On the issue of insufficient power supply to the people, Dr M Nara pointed out that the state spends around Rs 15 crores yearly in acquiring power from outside the state, but the Power department is able to collect an amount of Rs 2 crores only as taxes from the consumers on a yearly basis.
So, people cannot be blamed for this problem; the department is responsible for the problem since there are various loopholes and lack of sincerity among the staffs of the department.
He went on to point out that PHE department is also still not able to provide sufficient safe drinking water to the people of the state.
Water are pumped up from ponds, filtered and provided as drinking water to the public.
He also demanded to know what steps the state government has taken up with regard to paddy fields drying up due to failure of monsoon in some parts of the state.
Though a large amount of money has been sanctioned for the state every after year, the funds hardly reached the people/beneficiaries, he alleged.
Dr Nara further stated that the present economic policy of the state, which despises the poor people and give high regard to rich people, needs to be changed.
The PDS system in the state should also be upgraded on par with international standard.
The people of the state hardly get the benefit of APL, BPL and AAY schemes.
He also charged the government with failure of protecting women and children in the state from various crimes being committed against them.