Alleged misappropriation of money by Corporator
'Make public findings of probe committee'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 13 2022:
Thangmeiband AC MLA Kh Joykisan has urged the State Government to furnish the report of the investigation on the misappropriation of a large sum of public money by Corporator of Imphal Municipal Corporation without executing any project before the commencement of the monsoon session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Speaking to media persons at his residence at Khoyathong today, the MLA continued that he will raise the matter in the House if the Government fails to furnish the report of the investigation being conducted by an enquiry committee before the commencement of the monsoon session of the Assembly.
Saying that Corporator of IMC Ward no 1, Gangmei Gaidon Rongmei has been remanded to judicial custody for his alleged involvement in embezzling public money without executing any project, Joykisan maintained that four SOs have also been terminated from their posts while another official has been put under suspension for indulging in corrupt activities.
Asking if the investigation of the enquiry committee ends with the termination and suspension of the five officials, the MLA claimed that there is evidence of certain rogue officials withdrawing money without implementing any project on the ground at different Wards of Thangmeiband especially at Ward no 1,2,3 and 25 .
The MLA then asked if the enquiry committee is aware of this unethical practise or will they take no notice of it.
Claiming that there were instances of misusing public money in the previous term of IMC too, the MLA alleged that some Corporators went to the extent of intimidating his junior staff using a gun for not initiating the billing process for projects which were never implemented.
The MLA further stated that no decisive actions have been taken up against the unethical Corporators who misused their power.
Asking why the Government is only taking harsh actions against the SOs who prepared the bill while the higher ups who used a gun to threaten his staff are given a free hand, Joykisan continued that no other contractors have been arrested for robbing public money so far other than Gangmei Gaidon Rongmei.
Urging the Government to make public the finding of the enquiry committee on or before July 25, Joykisan continued that a House Committee would be constituted to probe the matter if the Government fails to heed the demand.
The MLA also said that he would bring up the pressing issues of the State during the monsoon session of the Assembly as a leader of JD-U and will not compromise anything when it comes to corruption and drug trafficking and abuse.