Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 26:
In order to check diversion of development fund to underground outfits as well as to curtail the influence of outlawed organizations in the functioning of the State administration, the Ministry of Home Affairs is reported to have given certain guidelines to the SPF Govt.Said to be a part of the ongoing process of counter insurgency measures, a highly placed source said that the MHA has also demanded detailed data of the assets of families and close relatives of top leaders of underground outfits in addition to close scrutiny of activities of NGOs/voluntary organizations (VOs) to stop alleged flow of Centre�s development fund to underground outfits.
Under the MHA�s instructions, Central and State intelligence agencies are said to have begun assessing the income and properties of relatives of underground leaders.
Among others, the data collection covers detailed report on moveable and immoveable properties along with snap-shots of immoveable properties and assessment of properties and income source in the last 10-15 years.
Taking note of the sprouting of numerous voluntary organizations, many of which are unregistered, the MHA has instructed the State Govt to keep a close watch on the activities of both registered and unregistered bodies vis-�-vis unlawful organizations.
The measure is said to have been initiated following information relayed to MHA that some voluntary organizations are frontal organization of the UGs.
In case the suspicion is authenticated through further collection of reports, the State Govt is understood to have started discussing the probable line of action to be taken up.
The affinity of the voluntary organizations to outlawed groups will be one factor that will be taken into account.
To ascertain whether NGOs operating in Manipur are properly implementing Central schemes in consonance with the amount sanctioned for proposed projects, State intelligence agencies are said to have swung into action.
Following the MHA missive, the SPF Govt has also constituted a State level committee with Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh as the chairman to monitor activities of the NGOs in diverse fields, said the source.
Other members of the said committee consist of the Addl CS, Principal Secretaries of Home and Finance Depts, Commissioners of various departments including Agriculture/Horticulture/Health/TD/RD/Forest/Social Welfare/YAS/Industries/Vety.
AH with the Planning Director as the member secretary.
To ensure proper streamlining and monitoring of schemes/projects undertaken by the NGOs, the state Government, according to the source, has evolved a detailed guidelines on how to process the project proposals from NGOs and the extent of involvement and parti- cipation of Government Depts in the implementation process of the project in addition to monitoring and evaluation of the projects.
Elaborating on the measures, the source informed that the Planning Department has been made the nodal agency for collection/compilation of information on NGOs working in the State from various departments.
As per an order issued on the matter on October 22, responsibility for super- vision, monitoring and NGO related activities vests with the line department concerned which also have to bear responsibilities to ensure accountability and transparency of the NGO�s works.
Moreover, the order envisages a date base for all the NGOs by the line departments and intimate information to the nodal agency.
Both the line departments and the Planning Department are also handed the task of updating data on quarterly basis, mentioned the order according to the source.
Based on reports provided by heads of department of active indulgence in contract/supply activities of persons suspected to owe close allegiance to underground outfits, State Government is likely to initiate appropriate actions soon.