Imphal, October 02 2010: Misusing fund sanctioned for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pradhans in the valley and village chiefs in the hills have been riding cars, stated Chief Minister O Ibobi.

Nevertheless, he said that efforts are being made to raise honorariums of ADC Members, Adhyakshas, Pradhans and Members.

The Chief Minister was speaking as chief guest at the concluding function of the Year of Gram Sabha observance held at Panchayat Bhavan, Porompat under the aegis of the Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

Ibobi disclosed that he has received reports about Pradhans and village chiefs purchasing cars by capitalising on the scheme being implemented for economic alleviation of the rural poor.

With the objective of empowering Panchayat, the Government of India declared October 2, 2009 to October 2, 2010 as Year of Gram Sabha.

Ibobi noted that Manipur cannot be said to have developed when the rural areas remained underdeveloped.

Devolution of power up to 50 per cent to Gram Panchayats was aimed at eradication of poverty in rural areas.

Remarking that job cards issued for 100 days' work in a year has come to be known as 'job car', the Chief Minister stated maximum efforts should be made to avoid any lapses and anomalies in the implementation of central sponsored schemes.

Highlighting the need to bring equitable development in both urban and rural areas, Ibobi cautioned that people would dissent if there is no development compatible to the fund sanctioned for the same purpose.

Following the launch of MGNREGS, people of neighbouring countries like Myanmar now wish to settle in India for they know that they would get job and better life opportunities in India, Ibobi claimed.

He informed that the gathering that the State Government has been considering about raising the rate of honorariums being given to ADC Members, Adhyakshas, Pradhans and Members.

Speaking at the occasion, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Allaudin Khan said that the Govt has been working to replace the existing two-tier system of Gram Panchayat with a threetier system.

He rued that many problems have cropped up as 50 per cent of development funds sanctioned to Gram Panchayats were misappropriated by Pradhans in connivance with their subordinate Members coupled with irregularities in holding Gram Sabhas.

Seven best Gram Panchayats selected at State level and 16 Gram Panchayats selected at Block level for 2005-06 and 2006-07 were felicitated during today's function followed by distribution of prizes to winners of essay competition held on the topic "Gram Sabha".

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