Ningthoupham villagers eager to see FCI Godown inaugurated
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Kanggui, August 29 2013: Inspite of completion of its construction almost one year back, the FCI Godown located at Ningthoupham village under Senapati district is yet to be inaugurated.

The FCI Godown at Ningthoupham is situated approximately 15 Km.away from Senapati DHQ near National Highway 2 .

The government earlier assured to inaugurate the Godown on March this year but it is still to be materialized.

Local residents of Ningphoupham today expressed resentment at the state government and the authorities concerned for failing to inaugurate the godown and start functioning.

One resident who did not want to disclose his identity said, "Since the construction of FCI Godown began, we have voluntarily kept vigil and taken utmost care so that after its completion and functioning it will relieve many burdens and hardships of the hill people, particularly the people of Senapati district" .

FCI Godown at Ningthoupham village

Another resident lemented, "At first the construction of FCI Godown here is of our pride and honour but gradually it turns out to be of our shame and disrespect, since even after its completion the gate has remained closed with not a single bag of rice stored in it" .

Another responsible person in the Village Authority of Ningthoupham disclosed that the construction work was undertaken by TP Cell(Hills) and many labourers were engaged in the work.

But, after the completion of the Godown without clearing the bills or wages of the labourer, they(TP Cell-Hills) handed over the same to the FCI.

"Who is going to pay the pending wages or bill now", he wondered.

The Village Authority member, who on condition of anonimity, further said that there are many internal issues within the FCI department and the state government which account for non-inauguration of the Godown.

But, that is not the problem of the people.

The Government of Manipur and the authorities concerned should go in the interest of the general public particularly the hill people of Senapati district not on their internal issues, he added.

He also averred that, recently those Home Guards deployed at the godown also ran away without informing the Village Authority saying that some unidentified persons threatened them with dire consequence if they remained staying at the godown.

While clarifying to their statement, he went on to say that there are no such persons/organizations to threaten those Home Guard, instead everyone there cooperated them.

Their statement was baseless.

It is only a propaganda to tarnish the honour and good name of the village.

"The authorities concerned may have many reasons for not inaugurating the Godown but if the State Government takes initiative and be really serious about it, it could have been inaugurated and started functioning long time back", the VA Member added.

He further appealed to the state Government to be serious about the Godown and initiate speedy steps to inaugurate and start functioning the FCI Godown in public interest.