PRIs to boycott R-Day celebration, calls shutdown
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 20 2022: Condemning alleged failure of the state government to release pending funds of Panchayat already sanctioned by the central government, Panchayati Raj Institutes (PRIs) have decided against participating in the Republic Day celebration and declared imposition of a 48-hour total shutdown in areas under the jurisdiction of all Panchayats with effect of from 6 am of January 27 .

A meeting of representatives of 161 Gram Panchayats and 60 Zilla Parishads held at SIRD hall, Imphal East DC complex on Thursday also adopted several resolutions.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Manipur State Panchayat Parishad president Abdul Latif contended that the state government has been undermining importance of local self-government.

Local bodies and people in rural areas are made to suffer as the government ceased funds sanctioned for the development of villages for more than seven-eight months.

He informed that after a serious discussion on the issue, the meeting resolved that the 161 GPs and 60 ZPs of the state will not take part in the Republic Day celebration this.

The meeting also resolved to make public/publicise non-disbursal of MGNREGA fund, three instalments of funds under 15th finance commission and the fund for 4th state finance award to the people residing in Panchayat areas on the night of January 26 .

Moreover, a 48-hour total shutdown would be called from 6am of January 27 and sit-in protest staged from January 29 onwards in 18 CD blocks of valley areas, the president informed, while cautioning that all the consequences during the total shutdown should be borne by state government.

Following the failure to release the funds in time, utilisation certificates (UC) were not submitted on time.

As such, there is no assurance that the funds for the next session will be sanctioned, Abdul pointed out, while condemning the state government for not fulfilling its assurance given on multiple occasions of releasing the funds.

The resolutions of launching protest will be put into effect if the government does not release the funds meant for the Panchayats within January 25, he cautioned.

PRI Adhoc Committee convenor Ph Surbala recalled the numerous agitations launched in the past against the non-disbursal of funds for Panchayat.

Is the protest of elected PRIs a sign of good governance, she posed, while explaining that the demand of the elected PRIs is not only their right but also the right of the rural populace.

Enquiring whether MGNREGA is not being implemented in the state anymore, she further posed the government to give the reasons for discontinuation of the scheme in the state.

Surbala further demanded the government to release the funds meant for Panchayats without delay.

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