Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 15 2009:
Representatives of 13 mobile sale groups today refuted the charge levelled by the United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) against FCS Minister Y Irabot that he has misused 900 quintals of sugar and described the charge as baseless.
The representatives told reporters at a press meet held at the residence of Laishram Memcha Devi, Councillor of Ward No-23 of Imphal Municipal Council that the mobile sale groups distributed 1000 kgs of sugar during January, 2009.In Yaiskul Assembly Constituency, 100 quintals of sugar were distributed and 900 kgs were distributed in other assembly constituencies along with the help of local clubs and Meira Paibee organisations.
They said, there is no question of the sugar being sold off to Santosh Agarwal at Thangal Bazar by Minister Irabot.
Santosh Agarwal, who was also present at the press meet, clarified to the reporters that he does not know the driver of the Minister, by the name of Amuba.
He had never purchased even 1 kg of sugar from the Minister, he said and added that he underwent an operation in November last year, as such he was not in Manipur till January last.
Councillor Laishram Memcha also told the reporters that since there are enough evidences to prove that the mobile sale groups had distributed sugar, the charges levelled against Minister Irabot stand exposed as unreasonable and baseless.
It is better to ask the people of the areas where the sugar had been distributed to know the fact.
It would not be fair to polticise this matter and deprive some women of the little benefit they get out of mobile sale business, she said.
The mobile sale groups of which representatives were present at the press meet were Indira Group, Thoibi Group, Pinky Group, Ngangbi Group, Meme Group, Bimolata Group, Memcha Group, Panthoibi Group, Roshini Group, Nazima Group, Yaima Group, Damayenti Group and Kunjarani Group.
According to the representatives, the places where they distributed sugar are Khurai AC, Thangmeiband AC, Thongju AC, Sagolband AC, Yaiskul AC, Keishamthong AC and Singjamei AC.