IMC caretakers protest 'outrageous' demands
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 26 2024: Condemning the exorbitant demands served by different groups, former corporators of Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) arid current caretaker corporators staged a sit-in protest in front of IMC Complex, here, on Thursday, urging for withdrawal of these unreasonable demands immediately.

Speaking on the sidelines, IMC Ward no.3 caretaker corporator Hijam Nutanchandra appealed to all concerned to stop making outrageous demands and issuing threats to the caretaker corporators.

He continued that the term of the corporators had already lapsed long back, but assumed the role of caretakers till conduct of fresh election, in accordance with the Manipur High Court's judgement.

However, being caretakers, they are unable to execute any work and have not received honorarium for their new role for the past nine months.

He continued that the employees and pensioners have not received their entitlements for the last 8-9 months, with many sweepers employed under the Corporation facing the serious financial problems.

As such, there is no surety on how long IMC would be able to serve the people.

Furthermore, all sanitation works entail use of Rs 19 lakh worth of fuel per month, the bills for which have not been cleared for almost 19 months.

Thus, there are also concerns that the works could Cease when the supply of oil is stopped, he conveyed.

Informing that corporators only receive Rs 7000 per month as honorarium, Nutanchandra said that the monthly salary of a sweeper is greater than honorarium of the corporators.

It is the corporators who are at the lowest level of the political ladder, working at the grassroots level.

As such, he urged all concerned against making outrageous demands from the corporators, adding that they sincerely support all who are endeavouring for a progressive Manipur.

He then urged the chief minister and the MAHUD minister to release the untied funds, second instalment untied fund, third state finance and other funds under the 15th Finance to mitigate sufferings of the caretaker corporators and IMC employees and staff.

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