Fund, honorarium misappropriated, claims Assn
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, December 05 2019:
Claiming that some officials of Thoubal Municipal Council (TMC) have misappropriated honorarium of one of the deceased Member without the consent of the family members, Thoubal Municipal Council Ward Members' Welfare Association has appealed the State Government and authorities concerned to look into the matter and take up necessary action against the officials involved.
Speaking to media persons during a press meet held at the residence of one of the Ward Members, secretary of the association, Jotin Waikhom alleged that some officials of the Municipal Council have misappropriated about Rs 90,000 (honorarium worth of two years and 6 months) of late Ward No 8 Member, Soibam Anandakumar (Khamjao), who died on November 2, 2016 .
Even after the death certificate was submitted to the TMC, he claimed that the Council, instead of conducting by-election, had been obtaining the honorarium.
The association came to know of the alleged misappropriation on September 14 this year.
Not a Rupee was handed to the family members, Jotin alleged.
"The TMC has become so corrupt that some officials have started robbing even from their deceased colleague," he said urging the State Government and authorities concerned to look into the matter at the earliest.
Maintaining that the Department of Municipal Administration, Housing & Urban Development (MAHUD) released Rs 1,01,19,961 for procuring litter bins and awareness programmes in connection with solid and plastic waste management programme on October 28, this year, he added that of the sanctioned amount, Rs 25,29,991 was for TMC and the remaining 75,89,970 was for the Ward Development Committee of 18 Wards.
Some officials of the TMC 'without' the knowledge of the Ward Development Committee's members, had bought litter bins of 'inferior quality,' he said.
Majority of the Wards have not seen the proposed awareness programmes, he said alleging that Rs 100 was also collected from each household by some Councillors for making cards while distributing the litter bins.
The amount sanctioned meant for the Ward Development Committee should be deposited at its account at the earliest.
Memoranda have been submitted to the EO TMC, Director MAHUD and MAHUD Minister regarding the issue, he said.
The press meet was also attended by several members and office-bearers of the association.