AMTDGF imposes indefinite eco blockade on two NHs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 02 2022: The All Manipur Tribals Development Grievances Forum (AMTDGF), Imphal has called an indefinite economic blockade from midnight of November 3 along Highway No 2, Dimapur-Imphal and Highway No 37, Jiribam-Imphal road.

In a statement issued by its general secretary Gangonglung Khumba, AMTDGF said it had taken the decision to impose indefinite the economic blockade due to Government's 'failure' to release MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) funds amounting to Rs 756 crore.

AMTDGF strongly condemns the 'adamant' stand of the Government of Manipur to its demands.

The forum had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren Singh on October 10 last demanding the release of Rs 756,49,62000 sanctioned by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India on June 23 last, it said.

On October 10, the day the memorandum was served, the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, Government of Manipur had released only Rs 100 crore to 16 districts under MGNREGS.

AMTDGF had postponed an indefinite economic blockade along Highway No 2 and Highway No 37 on October 20 in view of Diwali and Ningol Chakkouba festival.

It had also declared that if the Government of Manipur doesn't 'response' by October 30 on its demands, it would be compelled to impose indefinite economic blockade along the highways till the Government releases the MGNREGS funds to all the districts, said the forum.

The AMTDGF called on the people, trucks, transporters associations and civil society organisations to co-operate with it and also appealed to 'some vested organisations' not to mislead and confuse the people through social media.

On the other hand, the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, Government of Manipur, reacting to AMTDGF's call for indefinite blockade said, there is no question of misappropriation of Rs 756 crore MGNREGS fund and it is releasing all in due course of time.

In a statement, the Department said it is aware that the All Manipur Tribals Development Grievances Forum (AMTDGF) has threatened to impose indefinite economic blockade from midnight of November 3 if 100 percent of all pending funds under MGNREGS are not released.

Also, on various social media platforms there have been allegations of misappropriation of Rs 756 crore of MGNREGS funds meant for tribal people by the State Government, it said.

The Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department claimed that the allegations are completely baseless and said that MGNREGS funds are meant not only for tribal people but for all registered job card holders of all communities covering all sixteen districts of valley and hills in the State.

The State Government had received Rs 756.50 crore for MGNREGS which is meant for all sixteen districts of the State.

Out of the total amount sanctioned, Rs 100 crore has been disbursed and allocated to all 16 districts irrespective of whether the districts are in the hills or the valley.

Further, an additional amount of Rs 150 crore will be released soon and the remaining will be released in due course, said the Department.

"There is no question of misappropriation of Rs 756 crore of MGNREGS funds as alleged.

The statement is strongly condemnable and baseless," it said.

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