Imphal, December 24: Notwithstanding a strong appeal from Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to sanction more central fund to elevate the State out of the financial morass the visiting Central finance team instructed State Government for: punitive action against department officials indulging in appointment of employees without prior consent of authority and for flouting the memorandum of understanding-signed between State and Central Government.

The central team led by Additional Secretary of Ministry of Finance BP Mishra called on the CM for the second time today and suggested framing charges against the guilty' officials and prosecution to the extend of criminal liability.

The team who arrived at the State capital to take stock of progress of implementation of the MoU resigned in July this year also comprises of R Banerjee (Ministry of Finance), Joint Secretary of DONER Harekrishna and Joint Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs Goel.

The MoU sign during the stint of the then Chief Minister W Nipamacha and resigned again this year, stipulated overhauling and streamlining of State's financial administration, downsizing of Government department employees, power sector reforms and other economy related matters also stipulated implementation of the same within a time bound period.

Since their arrival on December 22, the central delegation have consulted several finance department officials and is reported to have held a lengthy discussion on measures to overcome the economy shortcomings, according to an official source.

Calling on the Chief Minister this morning at his office chamber, the delegates pressurized State Government to implement the context of the MoU in true spirit without further delay, added the source.

On his part, O Ibobi highlighting the procedural woes in actual implementation of the MoU citing time constraint asked the delegate members to intimate Central Government for provision of adequate financial assistance to lift the State from the present crisis.

On suggestion by the team for extending Voluntary Retirement Schemes (VRS) to State Government employees for which Government of India is willing to bear fifty percent of the expenses, the Chief Minister aired reservation on the matter contending that bridging the void of retired personnel of Police Department is a difficult task.

Even though the personnel retires their respective posts is not abolished further aggravating the situation, he remarked.

The central team also surveyed Khuman Lampak Sports complex to take personal stock of prevailing infrastructures available at the State's disposal.

They later left for Guwahati to attend a meeting of financial officials of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura.

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