Discourse delves into governance, leadership issues
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 17 2025: Only about 80 percent of a fund sanctioned is utilised on a project, while the remaining amount is shared among the Minister of the Department, the Commissioner, Director and DDO (Drawing and Disbursing Officer) and other officials, alleged retired IAS officer RK Nimai, addressing a public discourse today.

The public discourse on "Manipur crisis: Issues of governance and political leadership" was organised by Nobo Foundation at Dharmalaya Social Welfare Centre, Brahmapur Nahabam, Imphal.

MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, Imphal Review of Arts and Politics Editor Pradip Phanjoubam, Advocate Brahmacharimayum Supriya Devi and retired Lt Col Dr Tensubam Hemo Singh, among others, attended the event.

Discourse delves into governance, leadership issues

RK Nirnai, who has years of experience as a bureaucrat, said corruption is the root cause of failing governance and issues facing the State today.

Even during President's Rule, some ex-Ministers are still believed to be demanding their share of funds, he claimed.

In order to bring about good governance, the Government must crackdown on corrupt officials.

Arresting some Grade IV staff is not enough, RK Nimai said.

"A public official will not be able to build a multicrore house on his or her salary.

For the Government to truly end corruption, it must crackdown on some 14/15 bureaucrats only.

It is an easy task, but there is no one to do this.

No one wants to take this responsibility," Nimai said.

The public has a big role to play in abolishing the practice of corruption.

Curbing corruption would encourage individuals who genuinely want to serve the people and State enter politics and governance, he said.

The public, he said, should choose the right candidates in times of elections.

"A candidate may spend upto Rs 20 lakh in an election.

In reality, at present, a candidate spends around Rs 20 to Rs 30 crore in an election.

Electing such candidates is the same as people empowering them to indulge in corrupt practices to recover the money they spent," Nimai added.

Most Ministers often are not experts in subjects related to the department they are responsible for.

Them executing works without proper knowledge sometimes hinders the implementation of schemes, Nimai hinted.

For proper implementation of projects and schemes, each Government department must have a committee of experts to advise the Minister concerned, he added.

On the present Manipur crisis, Nimai said the public and civil society organisations must have clear objectives and strategies to follow.

"People shouldn't let emotion drive them.

They must have clear objectives and strategies.

The fight is against Kuki leaders who want to break Manipur apart, not then-public," Nimai said.

Improving the education system and inserting chapters in school education which would promote peaceful coexistence will go a long way in maintaining harmony, he said.

Speaking to the gathering, MP Dr Angomcha Bimol said the State is facing various issues on all fronts including the problem of corruption, unemployment, inflation and the present crisis.

He asserted that the values of democracy under the present Government have eroded.

There have also been attempts to deny him his right as a Member of the Parliament, under the present Government in the Centre, he said.

Fighting corruption and improving the education system are a must to bring about good governance, Bimol said, adding he has been going in the fields and overseeing implementation of various projects.

Contrary to what is being shown on the "Minister's website", around 900 people of Moirang Tronglaobi have been found without access to drinking water, Bimol said.

After a complaint was received, he visited Moirang Tronglaobi yesterday and found them having no access to piped drinking water, he said.

He has taken up appropriate actions, and work has started from this morning to lay pipes for bringing water to the people, Bimol said.