Francis pledges to settle issue on inclusion of 4 GPs to ADC
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 25 2013: RD&PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa has assured that he would strive to settle the controversial issue on inclusion of four Gram Panchayats of Turibari Area to Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council (ADC) at the earliest.

He gave the assurance during the discussion on demand grants of Panchayat, Horticulture & Soil Conservation and Economics and Statistics in the ongoing 5th Session of 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

In the discussion, MLAs Th Shyamkumar and K Thamarjit raised the issue of alleged deprivation of benefits to Kalapahar people under Panchayati Raj after four Gram Panchayats were added to Sadar Hills ADC.

The MLAs pointed that similar issues also exist in Andro and Keirao constituencies.

Clarifying to MLAs Shyamkumar and Thamarjit, Minister Francis Ngajokpa said that four Gram Panchayats of Turibari area in Kalapahar was added to Sadar Hills ADC after a threadbare discussion in the State Cabinet Meeting.

However, he would strive to settle the issue at the earliest, he asserted.

Opposition leader Dr I Ibohalbi contended that the devolution of power to Panchayati Raj has not been fulfilled till date despite of a resolution.

The Panchayats must also be allocated enough funds like the ADCs, which have received 50 percent of the total funds under Tribal Affairs and Hills Department, he noted.

He also pointed that some officers have misappropriated the wages for job card holders of MGNREGS in the name of life insurance schemes after paying them wages for six days only.

Clarifying to Dr Ibohalbi, Minister Francis said that the government is trying to fully implement the devolution of power to Panchayats by setting up a full-fledged Directorate for Panchayati Raj.

The State government has also sent the proposal to the Centre but it has not yet approved it.

The Minister assured that strictest action would be taken against the officers if they are found misappropriating the wages of MGNREGS in the name of life insurance schemes.

Minister Francis also appealed to the MLAs to render utmost support in streamlining the Panchayati Raj Department and passing of two demands for Panchayat and Economics and Statistics.

Eight MLAs namely P Brojen, Th Shyamkumar, Dikho, Samuel Risom, Kh Joykishan, Dr I Ibohalbi, K Thamarjit and L Ibomcha participated in the discussion for Horticulture and Soil Conservation.

Replying to the MLAs, Deputy Minister Gaikhangam, who is also in-charge of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, said that the State is basically dependent on agro-based economy and it would enhance production of horticulture items by 80 percent in 2020 .

He further said that an alternative arrangement is needed for the farmers to shift from traditional jhum cultivation.

Manipur Horticulture Society is taking various works under Mission Technology Northeast and Himalayan to augment the deficits in fruit production, he added.

Altogether three demands of Rs.61,32,000 for Panchayat, Rs.33,96,18,000 for Horticulture and Soil Conservation and Rs.25,58,60,000 for Economics and Statistics were passed by the State Legislative Assembly today.

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