Engage local firms, workers in Central projects : IPFM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 20 2023:
The Indigenous People's Forum Manipur (IPFM) has suggested that at least 75 percent of all Central development projects and schemes should be reserved for local contractors and workers.
Addressing the media at Manipur Press Club under the theme "Deprivation of opportunities and benefits to the sons of the soil", IPFM's president Ashang Kasar said the State needs a sound policy that will improve the economy of the people and plug the drain of wealth from the State.
He said the State's economy is not good without much funds and revenues.
One of the main reasons for the present condition of the economy is outsourcing of works and contracts of almost all major development schemes and projects to outside companies and firms.
|
He said while the Centre gives development projects worth crores of rupees to the State, these works are given to firms from outside the State.
Also, almost all the labourers engaged in major projects are from outside Manipur.
As such, there is a drain of wealth from the State.
Projects like the National Highways are worth crores of rupees and about 98 percent of the benefits go to outside firms while local contractors and workers get only about 2 percent, he added.
To plug this drain, the Government needs to seriously reduce outsourcing and engage more locals.
The Centre and the State Government should reserve at least 75 percent of the work for local contractors and workers, he said.
When local contractors and workers are given the major portion of the work, the economy of the people and the State will improve, Ashang Kasar said.
He said the Government should devise a policy that reflects the interests of the State and its people.
While reserving at least 75 percent of the work for locals, the Government must make it mandatory for outside firms [if required to be engaged] to partner with local firms in all major projects, he said, stressing that no work should be implemented if no locals are engaged.
Appealing to the Government to hear the forum's demand and enforce a policy that reflects it at the earliest, Ashang said IPFM along with other civil society organisations would launch intense agitations if ignored.
All projects being taken up in the hills and the valley may be banned, he cautioned.