'Loktak scam under scanner'
Nirmala Says Misuse Of Central Funds Responsible For Manipur's Underdevelopment
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 08 2015: Manipur is underdeveloped due to the blatant misuse and misappropriation of funds granted by the Central Government, said Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday.

She also stated that all those involved in the multi-crore Loktak scam will be punished as BJP-led Government at the Centre has initiated measures to probe into the multi-crore Loktak scam.

Nirmala was speaking at a BJP political conference organised in connection with the election campaign of Th Bishwajit of Thongju A/C at Chongabi.

In her speech, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry said that Manipur still continues to reel under backwardness as Congress continues to misrule the State for the last 13 years.

The Government of India has been providing funds to Manipur from time to time but the State Government, instead of taking up developmental projects, has misused all the funds, said Nirmala.

She also informed that investigations on the over Rs 200 crore Loktak Lake scam has been initiated.

Corruption in other departments will also be probed as people who misused public money have to be punished, said Nirmala.

While stating that the bye-elections to the Thongju and Thangmeiband A/Cs are important, the union minister said BJP should be strengthened in Manipur so as to bring perceptible change and development in the State.

She stated that there was a need to introduce special schemes for the large number of women weavers in the State so that they could contribute to the development of the State.

Nirmala alleged that Manipur Government has turned the Manipur Development Society (MDS) into "a den of corruption." MDS has been set up for some political families and their immediate family members through which they could indulge in massive corruption, the minister added.

She also expressed dismay with the Manipur Government's inaction towards the Centre's proposal for allocation of land so that a Border Haat in Moreh town of Chandel District could be set up to boost cross-border trade.

Speaking at the conference, BJP candidate for Thongju A/C Thongam Bishwajit also alleged that Congress party indulged in spreading lies during its campaigns and people need to remain alert.

Attending the conference, Manipur People's Party President N Sobhakiran said that Congress has become an ideology-less political party.

People of Manipur have been reeling under untold hardships due to the corruption culture of Congress led State Government, added Sobhakiran.

The conference was also attended by BJP Manipur Pradesh President Thounaojam Chaoba, former minister Dr Nimaichand Luwang and other BJP State leaders.

Meanwhile, the flag hoisting ceremony of BJP candidate in Thangmeiband A/C Khumukcham Joykishan was held on Sunday morning.

BJP State President Th Chaoba, former president M Bhorot and others hoisted the BJP flag and later, a public meeting was held at Ema Khunthokhanbi Community Hall near DM College.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman also spoke at the meeting.

She also attended a meeting held at Dharmasala of Thangal bazaar before leaving Imphal in the afternoon.

Comment