Source: The Sangai Express / NNN
Imphal, September 19, 2009:
Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM) has condemned the statement of the executive engineer of PWD, Tamenglong division that the finance secretary of ZSUM had demanded payment of Rs 7 lakh in a meeting on August 25 with two section officers (SOs) and special contractor at a restaurant near THAU ground, Imphal.
On Friday, ZSUM clarified that a sum of Rs 10,000 was initially offered to the students' body by the PWD officials to withdraw the demand of ZSUM to suspend the executive engineer and an SO of PWD for long absence from their office and for appropriation of funds meant for development works in the district.
It was followed by an increased offer of Rs 3 lakh and then Rs 4 lakh for withdrawing the demand for suspension of the two PWD officials, which the executive engineer had alleged was demanded by the finance secretary of ZSUM.
In this regard, ZSUM appealed to the people and all concerned civil society organizations not to be mis-led by the allegation of the officials of PWD, Tamenglong as the objectives of ZSUM is to fight against corruption and misappropriation of public funds.
It stated that the allegations levelled on ZSUM is an attempt to tarnish the clean image of the Union.