Susindro dubs 'disgruntled' MLAs power hungry
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 18 2023: In a sharp response to the resignation of MLAs Th Radheshyam and Karam Shyam from their respective posts as advisor to CM and chairman of Tourism Corporation of Manipur Limited, and speculations doing round among the public following their meeting with BJP national leaders, minister Leishanthem Susindro said that the two power hungry MLAs do not know their duties and party's ideology.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle in a telephonic interview, Susindro reminded all concerned that BJP is a political organisation with its own ideologies and.

strict discipline.

Though they (MLAs) said that they are resigning from their posts as they are not given any responsibilities, it seems that they lack commitment to carry out their responsibilities and uphold the party's ideologies, Susindro opined.

He further said that during the previous term, he remained as chairman of MSPDCL and LDA.

There was no fund in the agencies but he put his efforts and brought multi-crore projects from the Centre for LDA.

He also took the initiatives to modernise the power department during his tenure.

A chairman of a government agency or corporation has to do his part in order to remain relevant and keep the agency under them functioning.

At the same time, the responsibility of an advisor to CM is to advise the CM on policies and initiatives of the government.

As such, there is no question of fixing responsibilities to an advisor and he does not understand the reasoning of his (Radheshyam) plight, the minister said, while stating that the whole situation has arisen out of skipping grassroots politics by the dissenting MLAs.

Responding to the statement of MLA Karam Shyam, he said that the MLA seems to lack knowledge of protocols.

Ministers taking front seat and chairman of an agency taking back seat on the dais in events related with the agency concerned are part of the protocol, he reasoned, adding that he too took back seat in functions attended by ministers when he was not a minister.

On the other hand, it is a general tradition for the chief minister to deliver keynote address or vote of thanks in functions attended by the Prime Minister.

Raising objection over such trivial matters shows his lack of knowledge on protocols, he said.

Susindro maintained that some three - four water supply projects are being taken up in Heirok assembly constituency and the local MLA's workers are putting up restrictions in further progress of the projects demanding to give them the work contracts.

As these works have been awarded to an agency as a package it is not possible to bifurcate them, he further explained, adding that such mentality is unfortunate and will only lead to underdevelopment in the constituency.

Khurai assembly constituency did not receive a single fund from the government for road development projects from 2017 to 2021.He, however, put his own resources as well as funds from local area development fund to develop the road conditions.

Likewise, MLA Radheshyam can utilise portion of his local area development fund for road renovation projects.

At the same time, he put his own resources in repairing river banks during monsoon flood as there was no funding from the government.

He took up the job for the people of his constituency and it is imperative for an elected representative to make certain sacrifices for his people.

It is unfortunate on the part of the former ministers to criticise the government and the chief minister for not providing ministerial berth, especially when the CM is taking up selfless actions for the welfare and development of the state.

The public know well of the present political scenario in the state and mere allegation from some dissenting MLAs cannot shake the government, he affirmed and also negated the allegations levelled by the two MLAs about wasting public fund by hosting Femina Miss India contest in Imphal and pointed out that the state is getting 12 per cent share of the profit earned from the event.

Regarding the decision to withdraw from the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, Susindro clarified that the government is trying to correct the mistake of signing SoO agreement with UG groups headed by non-indigenes, which was carried out just for the convenience of a para-military force.

He also questioned the reason for raising objection in Churachandpur district against the government's decision to review arms license.

He was shocked to see the denuded hills on the hind side of Thangjing hill range during a helicopter survey.

The decision to withdraw from SoO was taken by the government after considering various factors, he said.

Regarding the speculations of MLA Karam Shyam feeling unhappy over the sacking of a PDS transport contractor, who is close to him, being the main reason behind his dissent, minister Susindro said that two agencies were sacked following numerous complaints raised against them.

He has no knowledge if one of them is close to the MLA and he does not know if that is the reason for the MLA's dissent.

However, he feels sorry if the sacked transport contractor is close to the MLA, Susindro said and assured of helping him (contractor) at his best capacity.

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