Forest Department clarifies on irregular funding slur
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 12 2022: Refuting the report of erratic fund flow causing hindrance in the implementation of Community based Sustainable Forest Management COSFOM-KFW project in Ukhrul district, which was published in various state dailies earlier this month, principal chief conservator of forests Dr Aditya K Joshi has clarified that funds are released on instalment basis as per the requirement and guidelines of the project.

Issuing a statement in this regard, Dr Joshi informed that the first release of funds was made on May 14, 2020.Subsequently, next batches of fund were released on July 22 & October 27 in 2020, and January 16 & March 16 in 2022 .

Funds were not released in 2021 as the village micro plan was in progress.

The preparation of micro plan for particular village is required for further release of funds.

Various exercises like Participatory Land Use Pattern (PLUP), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Livelihood Improvement Plan (LIP) SHGs formation were not completed then due to COVID-19 pandemic restriction placed in different villages of the district.

Moreover, the release of funds for SHGs under Livelihood Improvement plan is done on instalment basis.

First batch of instalment was released on January 6 his year for four SHGs each in Choithar and Shirui villages.

The remaining funds for SHGs would be released in subsequent instalment.

Furthermore, there are three NGOs, namely VEDAS, PARDA & CAPARV assigned to the village under the project in Ukhrul district.

Recruitment of the NGOs is done by calling attention to all the interested NGOs in the state by advertising in local newspapers.

Preferences are also given to the local NGOs whenever possible.

Selections are done as per the application received from the NGOs and criteria fulfilled by the applicants.

PARDA happens to be only the applicant received from Ukhrul district at that time.

There are plans to further increase the number of NGOs serving the district and the same set of recruitment procedure would be followed as per the guidelines, the officer elaborated.

The statement further informed that, the water reservoir tank in Choithar has a proper water inlet from the source of nearby stream.

The inlet was temporarily diverted to accommodate the need of extra water for the upcoming new church building dedication in Choithar.

The provision for the outlet is in place but has not been functional as the village authority has not decided which household would be supplied from this water reservoir tank, it added.

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