Rahul Gandhi talks tough against corruption
CM Ibobi urges Centre not to create problem in Manipur over NSCN-IM issue
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 10 2012: Taking cognizance of rampant corruption in the state and throughout the country, Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) has stated that the prime concern of UPA Government would be to eliminate corruption and check siphoning of public money.

Addressing a State level Convention for Local Bodies' Elected members on Local Self Governance and 16 Points Flagship Programme of UPA at Hapta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound here today, Rahul Gandhi said that corruption hurts the interest of common people the most.

While recalling the observation of his late father Rajiv Gandhi who once said that in every one rupee invested for the welfare activities of the people, only 15 paisa reaches the targeted beneficiaries while the rest went to the hands of middlemen, Rahul Gandhi assured that elimination of corruption and checking of siphoning public money will be the prime concern of the UPA Government and added "UPA government's initiative to deliver two lakh crore rupees directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries of Government's welfare scheme under Direct cash transfer Scheme is just a practical approach towards eliminating corruption for the benefit of the poor people" .

AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi at Hapta Kangjeibung Pix : David M Mayum

The AICC general secretary, who arrived at Imphal late this morning in a special flight to inaugurate the convention acknowledged that the voice of the common man is important.

A road connecting from a small village to a main road or a town will greatly give a relief to the villagers.

"And that is the voice.

Millions of needy people are benefitting from the MGNREGS.

And that too is a voice," he added.

Rahul Gandhi then told the gathering that the government is trying to give the people a strong tool of politics.

"For that, we will devolve the power to you," the AICC general secretary said.

Rahul Gandhi pointed out that in many states of India including Jammu and Kashmir and Jarkhand powers have not been given to the local bodies.

"Devolving of power to these local bodies is very important," the AICC leader re-iterated.

Emphasizing the need for devolution of Power to Local Bodies, Rahul Gandhi observed that MLAs and MPs are being engaged with the responsibility of making laws only.

But the elected members of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies and Autonomous District Councils of the hill areas are involved directly in carrying out the development activities of the people at the gross-roots level.

"The local bodies (Panchayati Raj institutions and other local bodies) are closer to the common man.

They know better about the problems at the grass root level than those of MLAs and the MPs and so devolving power is important because you are the one who can deliver goods better", he said, adding, "These (elected members of local bodies) are the people who will deliver the benefits of MGNREGS, Right to Food and other welfare schemes of the Government directly to the common people" .

Expressing regret over the conduct of most politicians these days,Rahul said, "These days politicians very often do not apply principles and ethics in their activities.

They often carry out their activities with a short-term perspective.

As a politician I often ask myself as to what principles should I apply in my work?" .

Harping on the unity front, Rahul said, "I love coming to the North East region.

You are here today and for many it is the north eastern part of India, certainly.

But for me, this part of India is the centre of our country.

When I visit Tamil Nadu, it is the central part of India for me.

I may be in Mumbai or in Rajasthan, they are the central parts of India for me.

This is my politics" .

Rahul Gandhi talks tough against corruption

The AICC leader said that every citizen of India should feel at home in every part of India.

"We are proud that large number of young boys and girls are working in Delhi," Rahul added.

He also expressed that he feels proud for boxer MC Mary Kom.

Rahul maintained that Congress Party is not a political party which exists either for a section of the society or a particular community only.

It is a party for the people as a whole and respects every religion, caste, creed and languages.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi urged the Centre not to take up any problem solving mechanism for settlement of the vexed insurgency problem of NSCN-IM that will create another problem in Manipur.

The Chief Minister also cautioned the Centre that some of the insurgent groups in the State are pressing their demands to the Centre on communal lines, thus fulfillment of these demands will ultimately create more dangerous situations in Manipur.

The Chief Minister recalled that during the regime of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the demand of Mizo National Front led by Laldenga for merging some portions of Churachandpur district with Mizoram was flatly turned down by the Centre before signing of the Mizo Accord.

Luizinho Faleiro, AICC General Secretary (Manipur in-charge) who was also present on the occasion, assured that various development programmes would be taken up in the State under the leadership of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

He further stated that under their leadership a number of development programmes have already been taken up for the welfare of the people.

Considering the influence of Congress party on the people, BJP has been left bewildered and is trying to spew hatred among the people against Congress party.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam also addressed the convention, which was attended by many Ministers, MLAs, party workers, elected members of Municipal Councils, Nagar panchayats, Autonomous Districts Councils, Zilla Parishads and Gram Panchayats from different parts of the state.

After the formal programme, Rahul Gandhi walked down to the crowd and shook hands with the crowd.

Rahul Gandhi left Imphal for Delhi at 12:55 pm today after meeting Youth Congress members and volunteers of NSUI about 30 minutes.