Govt refutes fund misuse allegations
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 02 2022:
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department has dismissed as baseless the allegation levelled by All Manipur Tribals Development Grievances Forum that the department has misappropriated Rs 756 crore of MGNREGS funds.
In a release, the Department noted that the government has been accused of misappropriation of Rs 756 crore of MGNREGS funds meant for tribal people for which, the "All Manipur Tribals Development Grievances Forum, HO, Imphal has threatened to launch economic blockade on all National Highways from November 3 if 100 per cent of all pending funds under MGNREGS is not released.
Issuing a clarification on the allegations, it reiterated that accusation of misappropriation of funds meant for the tribal people by the state government is completely unfounded, adding that MGNREGS funds are meant not only for tribal people but for all registered job card holders of all communities covering all 16 districts, both in the valley and the hills.
The state government has received Rs 756.50 crore for MGNREGS which is meant for all the 16 districts, out of which Rs 100 crore have been disbursed and allocated for all 16 districts irrespective of hill or valley districts.
Further, an additional amount of Rs 150 crore will be released soon and the remaining in due course, it said.
Informing that there is no question of misappropriation of Rs 756 crore of MGNREGS funds as alleged, the statement/allegation is strongly condemnable and baseless, maintained the Department.