'Rs 35 lakh spent on salt in relief camps'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 03 2025: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has urged the relevant authorities to take up a suo moto case into alleged mis-appropriation of relief funds meant for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Moirang and initiate a judicial enquiry.

Addressing the media at Congress Bhavan today, MPCC vice president cum spokesperson Hareshwar Goswami expressed deep concern over the issue, especially given the dire situation in the State.

He said two Moirang residents- Yumkhaibam Shyam and Heisnam Sushil filed Right to Information (RTI) appeals seeking details on relief camp management, including the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and materials provided to them in Moirang.

The Congress leader said that no response was given for the RTI application filed by Y Shyam, citing security reasons and the same is questionable.

According to the responses given to Sushil, the number of relief camps in Moirang decreased from 20 to 14 but the figure of IDPs increased from 3,905 to 4,542, he said and added that the authorities also detailed the materials supplied to the inmates of the relief camps.

He said that RTI responses revealed Rs 2.10 crore was spent on snacks such as bananas, biscuits, eggs, and noodles for IDPs in Moirang.

Rs 35,19,540 was spent in purchasing edible salt and Rs 11 lakh in purchasing television and DTH sets in Moirang as per the RTI response, he said, highlighting a discrepancy in the management of relief camps in Manipur.

Approximately Rs 23,21,95,440 was released for IDPs in Moirang according to the RTI response, he said.

While the relief camps are supposed to be overseen by Deputy Commissioners concerned under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the State's Home Department, Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti Singh has been actively distributing relief materials to IDPs, he said.

The MLA's involvement gives the impression that supplies came from his personal resources rather than Government provisions, he said.

Hareshwar Goswami questioned the BJP MLA's involvement in distributing a one-time allowance to IDPs in relief camps, stating that this responsibility lies with Government functionaries, not elected representatives.

Alleging that 50-70 per cent of the distribution of relief materials in Moirang was done by the MLA, the Congress leader demanded a judicial inquiry to ensure transparency and accountability in handling public funds for IDPs.

He further urged the State's Home Department to take up a suo moto case and determine if Moirang MLA is involved in the misappropriation of public funds meant for IDPs .

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