Stop squabbling, focus on work, COVID: ATSUM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 23 2020: Announcing that it will embark on an inspection tour to all the hill districts of Manipur for scrutinizing the developmental works undertaken by different departments and Ministries under the State and Central Government, ATSUM has warned that any lapses and shoddy quality of works encountered during the inspection tour will face its wrath.

The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur in a statement, said they have received many complaints that many of the works conducted are either a non-starter or even if it is done the quality is heart rending.

ATSUM said it has decided to chasten and expose the avaricious contractors, work agencies or anyone who are found to be involved.

"Nobody should be under the impression that they will be let-off scot free because of the leverage they enjoy with politicians or unholy nexus with UGs.

There is nothing more important than people's comfort.

"ATSUM has been keeping a close tab on all the development works undertaken in the hill districts and was shocked to know that these contractors or work agencies are apt to coming out with ludicrous excuses of blaming the UGs for their failures and using them as scapegoat to hide their shoddy works" .

ATSUM further said the failure of the Government's monitoring agencies which have been employed to monitor the progress of the works undertaken have also come to the glare.

"Instead of chastising the errant contractors they are more inclined to sup with such elements and in collusion with the line officers or departmental officers' work completion certificates are given without proper verifications or without determining whether quality is maintained or not in the process," ATSUM alleged.

ATSUM said there can be no development, no growth and no peace if the Government is frequently plagued with internal bickering, dissensions and schisms which have become the sad norm of the present Government.

"Significant amounts of precious moments have been wasted due to the chasms that existed since the early part of 2019 till today.

This has adversely affected the common people since all progressive works are brushed aside during these tussles," added the student body.

Many part of the hill areas are cut-off from the rest of the world due to landslides, roads are rife with potholes, farmers are clamoring for fertilizers, progressive works are derailed, essential commodities are scarce, the economy is nose-diving and the all-pervasive COVID-19 is wreaking havoc but surprisingly none seem to care as the politicians are deeply preoccupied with their selfish agenda while people languish in misery, it said.

To make matter worse educational institutions have been shutdown for the past many months, hospitals are flooded with COVID patients and while people are on the verge of starvation the politicians are engrossed in squabbles, it alleged.

"We, the people, had been made to witness the most shameless episodes of shameless political drama, all buttressed by greed for power.

Politicians are seen fighting for Ministerial berths, jumping loyalties, breaking ranks and yet again joining ranks and washing their dirty linens in the public while we hang our heads in shame," it added.

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