27 councillors decry
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 03 2014:
27 councillors of the Imphal Municipal Council have strongly decried the demolition and eviction of godowns built inside the temporary market shed of Khwairamband Keithel last night through an order of DC, Imphal West.
Speaking to media persons at the Conference hall of the IMC, Salam Tiken clarified that the eviction of the temporary godown was carried out due to lack of communication between the executive members of IMC and IMC councillors even as an order for demolition of the temporary godown was issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Imphal West on October 30 .
He further said that the accusation against the IMC councillors by some vendors was baseless as none of the councillors have accepted money with the false promise to provide a seat in the market.
He further said that the godown was constructed considering the hardships faced by the women vendors and after an application was submitted to the IMC by the women vendors urging for the construction of the godown.
Regarding the construction of the temporary godown, a decision was taken after a meeting of councillors at the Conference Hall of the IMC on October 31, 2011 .
The IMC also sent intimations to the MAHUD and Department concerned seeking their approvals.
The Council has discretionary power to go ahead with the plan even if there is no response from the departments concerned, he said.
As such, the IMC decided to construct the godown and started the construction some 4 months back, he said.
The construction was legal, he asserted.
Other councillors of the IMC who were present said that they strongly condemn the demolition of the godown the last night.
Although IMC is assigned 18 work charges, the council is taking up charge of cleaning solid waste in the Municipal area and vehicle parking.
Other works assigned to the council are taken up by major departments of the State, they said.