Job cards from two places : Boon or bane ?
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 09 2011:
Take it as a boon to the poor villagers or an administrative mess, five villages of Keirao Assembly Constituency are reaping benefits under Mahatma Gandhi National Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) from both Imphal East and Senapati districts.
These five villages Poiroutongba, Lemba, Kapur Sungba, Tamangching and Phunal Maring are included in both the districts for the Central sponsored scheme.
Villagers of all the five villages possess job cards issued by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) of both the districts, credible official sources have confirmed.
Although, the five villages fall under the jurisdiction of Keirao A/C, Poiroutongba, Lemba, Kapur Sungba and Tamangching villages come under Tulihal Zilla Parishad while Phunal Maring comes under Bamon Kampu Zilla Parishad.
However, all the five villages come under Saikul TD Block of Sadar Hills.
According to an information received from ADC Senapati, wages for 53 mandays have already been handed over to the job card holders of these five villages for the year 2011-2012 .
Interestingly, another information received from DRDA, Imphal East said, wages for the job card holders of these five villages have been sanctioned for the year 2011-2012 .
Meanwhile, it is apprehensive that a large amount meant for social forestry project under MGNREGS has been siphoned off as no work is visible at these villages although signboards are being put up mentioning completion of the project by Saikul TD Block.
Tension ran high among the villagers in Phunal Maring village on the charge that the village chief was involved in the embezzlement of MGNREGS fund.
Under various projects taken up by DRDA Imphal East, construction of culvert and land development have been implemented in 2011-2012 at Lemba village while land development for church construction has been completed at Tamangching.
Work proposal for ground levelling of a large ground at Kapur Sungba village has been made for the year 2012-2013 .
At Phunal Maring village, construction of staircase and digging of community pond have been completed.
Meanwhile, a credible source said that Lisham Lok and Kabrang villages of Wangkhem Assembly Constituency are also included in the schemes of both Imphal East and Senapati districts regarding Central sponsored MGNREGS works.