Imphal, October 14: Taking into account difficulties faced by settlers in remote hill areas of the State where absence of transportation facilities had been impeding development of the people a project proposal for construction and repairing of about 800 kilometres of road has been submitted to the Prime Minister, said Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing who also dismissed allegations of project fund misuse.

Interacting with media persons at his Mantripukhri residence some days back, Rishang Keishing explained that the project envisions linking distant villages to the respective district headquarters and would cover certain portion of National and State highways in addition to necessitating cutting of hillocks/hill ranges in about 300 kilometre stretch.

Mentioning that similar copies of the project have been forwarded to the North Eastern Council and union Ministry of Transport, the former Chief Minister however hastened to add that till date no response has been received on the project.

Apart from the said project other proposals for establishing direct connectivity between inter-district and inter-State roadways in hilly region of the State and development of 17 road sections in interior locations of Ukhrul district under the PMGSY scheme have been presented to relevant authorities/ministry, the MP maintained.

Moreover, project proposals have also been prepared and sent to ministry concerned for taking up integrated Horticulture Development Project that could provide economic sustenance to over 85,000 families in the five hill districts of the State, he stated and expressed confidence that on if approved the five year project at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore would tremendously boost living conditions of the hill area people.

Reacting to a news report, the seasoned politician rejected allegations that an amount of Rs 976.15 lakhs extended for taking up welfare schemes under the management of Tribal Areas (MATA) in 30 villages within Phungyar assembly constituency had been withdrawn without implementation.

Countering the allegations, he insisted that inspite of certain vested elements trying to sabotage the MATA endeavours, progress is being maintained in the implementation of the project works.

In fact contrary to charges of withdrawal of the alleged amount (Rs 976.15 lakh) the vested interest needs to be reminded that the figure actually points to implementation and coverage of MATA schemes in 976.15 lakh hectares, the Congressmen remarked.

He also clarified that out of a targeted amount of Rs 976.15 lakh to be extended by Ministry of Rural Development in four year period for implementation of projects under the Integrated Wasteland Development Programme an amount of Rs 496 lakh has been sanctioned in phased manner out of which Rs 396.80 lakhs has been released.

Due to lengthy funding procedure and necessity to conform with prescribed norms of the Government actual release of the project fund is being delayed thereby compelling the project extension from the previously target four year period, he explained.

Sharing further details on the project cost he disclosed of 20 percent of fund proposed for utilisation on 'basic activities' with the remaining percentage earmarked for work development.

The funding would continue for two more instalments.

Moreover, since the project commenced in 1998-99 till March 19, 2007 the Rs 396.80 lakh amount was provided in four instalments.

So far the released amount had been utilised in works related to soil conservation, horticulture, afforestation, water conservation and equipment supply in 30 villages where the project is being implemented besides provision of several sacks of rice.

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