Henry's PRO junks fund misuse allegations
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 08 2021:
Refuting the fund misuse allegations levelled by Wangkhei MLA Erabot regarding funds meant for upgradation of 1000 Anganwadi centres and construction of 1000 new centres, PRO of ex-MLA Okram Henry released videos of inspection visit to the work sites along with contractors and clarified that upgradation work for Anganwadi workers are underway.
In a video released to the media, PRO Boyesh Kom said that the charges raised by MLA Erabot are nothing but a tactic to gain political mileage.
Construction of 12 Anganwadi centres in Wangkhei AC is in the work programme.
For construction of the centres, Anganwadi workers concerned have to surrender the plot to the government with a gift deed.
However, nobody is willing to part their lands and as such, construction works are yet to get started.
Funds for the first phase instalment have been deposited to the DRDA Imphal East and it has not been released yet.
Detailed information in this regard can be assessed from DRDA Imphal East.
On the other hand, the then minister has no right to interfere in the construction and upgrade of Anganwadi centres in other constituencies since a committee headed by the local MLA is responsible for such projects.
It is unfortunate for the MLA to make such baseless claims in media, the PRO said.
As for upgradation of Anganwadi centres in Wangkhei AC, the sanctioned project was for eight centres and not 10.Out of them, repairing for centres at Telipati Sahu and Golapati Maning Leikai has already been completed.
Construction work is in progress for the centre at Chingmeirong Maning Leikai.
As for other centres, they are located in homestead plots and the Anganwadi workers requested to postpone the work due to Covid-19 pandemic.
These works will resume after the pandemic situation improves, he explained, adding that a fund of around Rs 8 lakh has been released to the contractors concerned from TP Cell as running bills.
Though estimated cost for each centre is Rs 2 lakh, the actual amount is only around Rs 1.5 lakh after deducting taxes, the PRO maintained.
The PRO further said that the MLA should pay his attention towards helping the public during this Covid crisis period instead of targeting the ex-MLA and indulging in war of words through media.
There are records of MLA Erabot misappropriating funds for construction of Anganwadi workers in his earlier terms but the time is not right to get involved in such tussle, the PRO added.