Development stagnant at Pherzawl district
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 29 2017: The North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) and United NGOs Mission Manipur (UNMM) have expressed disappointment over the deplorable living condition of the people of Pherzawl HQs and its surrounding villages, especially in a technologically developed era.

A press release issued by the North East Dialogue Forum, drew the attention of the Governor, CM, the Council of Ministers and other departments concerned to look into the situation and take up necessary steps to provide the basic requirements for the villagers at the earliest.

According to the press statement, a team of United NGOs Mission Manipur and North East Dialogue Forum reached out to an invitation by the district's local community on December 27.

Development stagnant at Pherzawl district

The team went to Pherzawl village, Pherzawl DHQs, located about 241 km away from the State Capital, only to be shocked by the living condition and lack of basic amenities for the people in the area.

Despite becoming a full fledged district on December 8, 2016, the district administration and other Government Institutions are yet to function properly and are not able to fulfil the standards of a district headquarters, it said.

It further stated that the team found the Deputy Commissioner's office locked and the entrance gates to the offices, police barrack and Magistrate Court, which is located in within the DC office complex, were all left open and not a single official or sub ordinate staff were present within the campus or in the village.

The newly constructed infrastructures were locked and no water facilities were functioning near the buildings, it added.

Meanwhile, when the team interacted with the villagers, it was revealed that the existing sub primary health centre in Pherzawl HQ is still lying defunct with no doctors, nurses or other sub ordinate staff.

The villagers, while addressing their grievances, stated that PDS items hardly reach the beneficiaries and the PDS rice for both BPL and AAY are sold at the rate of Rs 30- 40 per kg.

The banks which play a vital role in the people's lives have remained defunct making life hard for the villagers in accessing the schemes and projects of the Government, mainly when the Govt implies it mandatory to open bank accounts so as avail any welfare schemes.

The villagers expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of market linkages regarding agriculture, horticulture and other businesses, which in turn makes earning difficult for the villagers.

The soil of Pherzawl has blessed the people with various crop products including banana, ginger, turmeric, lemon and other vegetables which could improve the economic status of the State, but as there is a lack of proper trading place, the crops are not put to good use.

With dilapidated roads connecting the district to the rest of the State, the dream of having transportation system and electricity as well as communication facilities are still far from becoming a reality.

On the other hand, when the team were on route, they came across two check posts of 25th Assam Rifles and 33rd Assam Rifles, where the Government ensured sufficient daily basic needs like water, electricity, health care etc.

However, the people of Pherzawl village are still suffering from the lack of such basic necessities till date.

On December 28, a joint interaction session with the village chiefs and the villagers was also held to deliberate on the problems and hardships faced by the people. Considering the grave and deplorable situation of the people, UNMM and NEDF appealed to the State Government and the concerned authority to take swift actions for fulfilling the needs of the villagers of Pherzawl district at the earliest.