Govt begins inquiry, RPI files complaint
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 18 2023:
In connection with the controversy surrounding the renaming of Meitei localities in Moreh into Kuki names in the health cards distributed to displaced people during a function held at the relief camp opened at Ideal Girls College, Akampat; the state government has launched an inquiry into the matter.
On August 16, a distribution function of PM-JAY health cards for 130 beneficiaries from amongst the displaced people staying at the Ideal Girls College relief camp was held.
However, the addresses of the previous Meitei localities in Moreh had been renamed to Kuki villages, as was printed in the health cards.
The localities, namely Turel Wangma Leikai and Heinou Makhong Leikai were renamed as Chikim village, Khunou Leikai as T Yangnom, and Bazar Leikai as D Monaphai.
In this regard, officials of the state revenue department visited the relief camp on Friday and discussed with the displaced people from Moreh on how the names of the Meitei localities were changed to Kuki names.
On the other hand, speaking to The People's Chronicle via telephone in this regard, health minister and state government spokesperson Dr Sapam Ranjan informed that the government has launched an inquiry into how the names of Meitei localities in Moreh were changed into Kuki names, as was found printed in the PM-JAY cards distributed to the beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Republican Party of India (RPI) Athawale national secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam has filed a complaint to the joint secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday regarding the change/replacement of addresses of original Meitei village names to unauthorised Kuki village names in Moreh Town, Manipur on PM-JAY health cards.
He further urged the government to take strict against the officials involved, alleging that it was not a mere mistake but an intentional and illegitimate act.
Speaking to newspersons after filing the complaint, Maheshwar said that a technical investigation was held between the coordinator of National Health Authority (NHA) and him, wherein it was found that the State Health Agency, which is the department in-charge of PM-JAY scheme in Manipur, had not provided details of the new districts.
As such, the Local Government Directory (LDG) could not complete the mapping, leading to the factual errors.
He conveyed that NHA has begun looking into the matter and the authority has assured to rectify the errors, in addition to completing the LDG mapping with the real factual data.
NHA also assured to issue new PM-JAY cards to the beneficiaries with the correct and original Meitei village names.
Questioning how anyone can stay silent after witnessing their houses being burned down and then their original places renamed, Maheshwar urged the leaders of the state government to stop trying to please everybody and instead unite and make concerted efforts to save Manipur.
He then said that if the present threats to the integrity of Manipur are not met with an equal, powerful response, there is no guarantee that the state's integrity would not be threatened again in the future with influx of more illegal immigrants.
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