₹348.24 cr released under relief scheme: CM Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 07 2024: Apart from informing that all requirements including daily essentials are being provided to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) putting up in relief camps, chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday told the state assembly that total of Rs 348.24 crore including state's share has been released so far under the Operation of Relief Camps scheme.

Under the scheme, the government of India released Rs 225.54 crore while the state contributed Rs 122.7 crore, CM Biren said in Wednesday's session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

During the Question Hour, Opposition MLA Th Lokeshwar queried on expenditure in manning relief camps set up after outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023 .

In his reply, N Biren said daily essentials for the relief camp residents are being provided under the Operation of Relief Camps scheme, under which there is no provision of distributing cash.

However, requirements for the IDPs are being addressed to through purchase from market out of the fund released through committees managing the relief camps.

Funds for the scheme, however, are being released in cash to DC, Biren said, adding that government bears educational expenses including uniform and textbooks for students living in relief camps.

To enable displaced students studying in private schools clear tuition fees, government provides Rs 3,000 per month though there is no specific amount for those studying outside the state who are, nevertheless, provided certain amount on humanitarian ground, Biren explained.

To another query by Wangkhem MLA Keisham Meghachandra, the chief minister informed that monthly stipend for SoO cadres were earlier released through the bank accounts of representatives of the UG/armed groups with cheques issued from time to time as some of the cadres do not have personal bank accounts.

The stipend has not been disbursed since the year 2022 as the pending account verification of the cadres under Suspension of Operation (SoO) is still under process.

He asserted that there is no question of indiscretion in the said process.

The chief minister, in response to Khangabok MLA Surjakumar Okram, confided that the state government has been engaging constantly with the union government at various levels to expedite fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur sector.

Sanction for the first phase was made on February 23, 2010 subsequent to the state government submitting two proposals to the centre on the basis of identifying vulnerable areas in need of fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.

While replying to a query raised by Sugnu MLA K Ranjit Singh, CM Biren informed the House that state and Central forces have already been stationed in vulnerable areas of the state and the government has also appealed to the village volunteers to lay down arms and cooperate in the efforts made to restore peace and harmony in the state.

During the Zero Hour, K Meghachandra drew the attention of the House to look into the matter of unbearable demands made to localities by unidentified people and to take up necessary steps to consider the possibility of reflecting on the issue by the Prime Minister in his 'Mann Ki Baat' speech.

Meanwhile, MLA Surjakumar Okram referred to overflowing of the Moirang river originating from the Thangjing Range flooding the pre-fabricated houses at the relief camp opened within the complex of Sericulture Training Centre in Bishnupur district.

In response, Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti said that flooding of pre-fabricated houses has been attended to with department concerned already undertaking repair works.

The MLA added that all possible steps are being taken up to solve the problems of displaced people staying in the relief camp.

Comment