Pradhan charged with misappropriating fund
Wangoo farmers demand declaration of drought
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 28 2012:
Pradhan of Wangoo Gram Panchayat Moirangmayum Brojen has allegedly siphoned off more than Rs 3 lakh meant for various development projects to be taken up in three wards under the Gram Panchayat.
The allegation was made by members of Wangoo Popular Club, Progressive United Club, Wangoo Chithek Leikai Women's Development Association and Wango Mayai Leikai Meira Paibi Lup during a press meet today.
According to the members, Pradhan Moirangthem Brojen withdrew more than Rs 3 lakh sanctioned for taking up developmental projects without executing any work.
The projects for which the funds were sanctioned but allegedly siphoned off by the Pradhan included shingling of IVR from Wahengba to Wango Mayai Leikai; improvement of playground at Wangoo Primary School; implementation of Sanitary drain at Wangoo Popular Club; implementation of Sanitary Drain at Wangoo High School and renovation of Public drinking pond at Wangoo Mayai Leikai.
The funds were withdrawn by forging the signature of the Beneficiary Secretary by the Pradhan Brojen, they charged.
Beneficiary Secretary, Angom Angangtomba, who was also present at the press meet, said that he did not have any knowledge of the projects and the amount had been withdrawn by forging his signature.
He demanded the concerned authority to take up necessary actions against the Pradhan and other individuals involved in the case and award them befitting punishments as per law of the land.
After the press meet, members of the four organisations along with a large number of farmers went to inspect many agricultural tracts which are remaining dry and demanded the government to announce drought at the earliest and take up necessary actions to help the farmers and compensate them.
Despite having 40 RLIs, out of the total 139 in the whole state, vast tracts of the agricultural land Bishnupur district are not getting enough water for rice cultivation, informed Philem Basanta, a key member of Loumee Sinmee Apunba Lup, Bishnupur.
In Wangoo area alone, agricultural field clusters like Wangoo Terakhong, Wangoo Sabal, Wangoo Naodakhong, Wangoo Haotak, Wangoo Sagang, Wangoo Tousem, Wangoo Sangomsumbi, Wangoo Sandang, Wangoo Borayangbi, Wangoo Napet, Wangoo Khajingkhombi, Wangoo Laingoubi, Wangoo Nungngu, Wangoo Chairel and Wangoo Phumnom are remaining dry due to the lack of normal rainfall, he said.
While criticising the poor agricultural policy of the state government which, they said, has resulted in the prevailing situation, the farmers demanded the government to review its agricultural policy, announce drought and compensate the farmers who have not been able to take up rice cultivation successfully this time.