BJP team claims flaw in Loktak clean-up project
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 28, 2011: Maintaining that the progress of Phumdi clearance from Loktak lake is not in commensurate with the amount of Rs 224 crores that the Union Planning Commission had earmarked for the purpose in 2009, the visiting BJP National leaders have demanded a CBI inquiry into possible financial mismanagement.A three-member Central BJP team arrived here today for investigation into the allegation of looting the public fund following submission of a preliminary report to the party with regard to controversy over recruitment of Primary Teachers, roads and bridges construction and clearing of Phumdis from Loktak lake.

Led by BJP National vice president MP Bijoya Chakravarty, the other two members in the Central BJP team are National general secretary Tapir Gao and National secretary Kirit Samaya.

Soon after arrival at Tulihal Airport in the morning today, the BJP team went to take first hand account of the Phumdi clearing exercise being carried out at Thanga, Karang and other parts of Loktak lake.

The visiting team also interacted with the local fishermen to understand their problems.

BJP State unit president Sh Shantikumar and other State unit leaders accompanied the Central BJP team during the inspection.

During the interaction at Thanga, fishermen of the surrounding area complaint that the ongoing Phumdi clearing exercise has given a serious impact on their livelihood and there has been no rehabilitation programme for them.

Later talking to media-persons at the Thanga residence of Salam Ibohal, who is not only the vice president of BJP State unit but also the spokesperson of the party unit, the visiting National BJP leaders asserted that during the rule of BJP led NDA Government at the Centre, more fund for development of North East had been provided.

But it is unfortunate that there has been no sign of any development in the region.

They pointed out that progress of Phumdi clearing exercise is not in commensurate with the amount of Rs 224 crores that the Union Planning Commission had earmarked for the purpose.

Since a spot inspection has been conducted, now the Chief Minister of Manipur should be answerable as to where the fund have gone.

They demanded that services of CBI sleuths should be roped in to investigate into the matter as well as on K-Pro Infra Works Private Ltd, which is taking up the contract work.

Charging that K-Pro Infra is a firm owned by the son of a senior politician of Manipur, the Central BJP leaders also demanded to know why none of the Minister concerned at the Centre and officials of Planning Commission have not come to look into the controversy surrounding clearance of Phumdi from Loktak.

The problem of insurgency in the North East has been on the rise because there has been no development and corruption of rampant even in recruitment of Primary teachers and construction of roads and bridges, they asserted, while assuring all these issues would be taken up for discussion in the Budget session of the Parliament due to begin from February 21. The Central BJP leaders further informed that they have collected incriminating documents related to bungling crores of rupees by the State Government on the pretext of clearing Phumdis from the Loktak lake.

A final report on their findings would be submitted to the National party president when they return to Delhi and the same would be submitted by the National president and the Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj to the President of India on February 15.The copies of the report would also be forwarded to Auditor General of India, Gauhati High Court, Supreme Court and other related agencies, the BJP leaders disclosed.

Stating that BJP is prepared to fight against corruption, the BJP leaders informed that a mass rally is proposed to be taken out in Kanpur on February 5 to protest against rising prices and corruption.

MP Bijoya Chakravarty demanded that Kabow Valley which then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had given away should be handed over to Manipur.

BJP State unit vice president Salam Ibohal highlighted the problems of the fishermen to the Central leaders and drew their attention for taking up a rehabilitation programme for them.

BJP State unit president Sh Shantikumar informed that arrangements are being made for taking out protest rally in all the district headquarters of Manipur within February 15 to 20 against scam over clearance of Phumdis from Loktak lake and corruption.

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