Payment to SoO groups, illegal donation aired in House
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 04 2024: Congress MLA K Meghachandra has expressed concern over the payment of Rs 27.38 crore stipend to Kuki militants bound by the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement outside the guidelines of the pack.

Bringing up the matter during zero hour of the ongoing session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Monday, the MLA said he came across news report in the Poknapham daily, as published in The People's Chronicle.

According to the news report based on the Audit Report 2022 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the government had paid Rs 27.38 crore to Kuki militant groups under SoO agreement outside the guidelines in the form of cheques on three occasions between April 2019 and July 2020 .

The report further said that the matter has been intimated to the Home department, he said while expressing concern over the matter and enquiring the reason behind such payment.

He also demanded a clarification from the leader of the House.

Sugnu MLA K Ranjit drew attention of the House to the issue of salary for additional month of security personnel, which were usually released in the first week of January in the past but got delayed this time.

Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah brought up the issue of random and unauthorised donations from passenger vehicles along the Imphal-Ukhrul road, which is a lifeline for Ukhrul district and also drew attention of the House to media reports of a proposed indefinite bandh from March 6 while urging for taking up necessary measures to check such illegal donations.

Khangabok MLA Surjakumar Okram brought up a newspaper report of Khangabok Development Society's statement to block the Khangabok Bangshibudhon to Khabudhon road citing government apathy.

He told the House that he had written letter to the government to include the road project in the state PWD programme about a couple of years back and the department rejected the proposal citing lack of gap with previous road renovation project under PMGSY.

He drew attention of the CM, works and RD&PR minister to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, Thangmeiband MLA Kh Joykisan brought up a media report regarding lack of initiatives under Har Ghar Jal Mission in Kangjabi Leirak of Thangmeiband AC, where people are deprived of tap water for the last two years, and how the local people are criticising him for the situation.

He drew attention of the House to look into the matter and address the issues faced by the local people.

Kumbi MLA S Premchandra told the House that his constituency is facing shortfalls in almost every sector and urged the government to complete projects in time.

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