Imphal, November 08, 2008: Following suspension of fund grant to the Manipur AIDS Control Society by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), the former's HIV/AIDS control programmes including the programme to prevent HIV infection in children through their mothers have been severely affected.

An official source informed The Sangai Express that NACO has stalled releasing funds to MACS since April this year.

Subsequent upon suspension of fund provision, many NGOs working under the MACS have been facing various difficulties while MACS itself has been caught in dire straits.

One of the primary reasons that prompted NACO to halt fund grant to MACS was the lack of transparency in the financial account of MACS which was reportedly observed by the NACO's Assistant Director (Finance) during his inspection visit to MACS office earlier this year.

Another reason was the arson at the office of MACS when a team of NACO was auditing financial accounts of MACS.

Some important documents related to the financial matter of MACS was destroyed in the arson.

The incident of arson was investigated by an IG of the State Police after which some officials were pulled up.

Following suspension of fund grant to MACS, altogether 57 NGOs working for injecting drug users and another 18 projects working for prevention of HIV/AIDS infection in children through their infected mothers have been either paralysed or aborted.

The severity of the problem is such that MACS is unable to pay salaries of its employees for the last two months, conveyed the source.

Meanwhile, the State Government has sent reports about the activities and expenditures of MACS after re-auditing its financial accounts to NACO.

On the other hand, MACS officials have met with NACO officials and have urged upon them to release requisite funds to MACS, now kept withheld.

It is believed that NACO may release a certain percentage of fund shortly, the source added.

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