Imphal, April 16: In violation of the laid down norms, the meeting for finalisation of the work programme of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in Imphal East District for the next five years has been convened by the DC of Imphal East who is also the district programme co-ordinator without the presence of the Adhyaksha of the Zilla Parishad concerned.

Alleging this while addressing a press conference in her office chamber at Porompat here today, Adhyaksha of Imphal East N Basanti, who is also the chairperson of DRDA said that inspite of her presence being required in the meeting, the DC had not intimated her about the meeting held at Porompat Panchayat Bhavan at 11 am today with the attendance of the Ministers, MLAs and Pradhans concerned.

Contending that the conduct of the DC was in violation of the laid down norms, Basanti asserted that some of the Zilla Parishad members who have approached for raising some of their issues during the meeting too had not been granted permission.

Demanding to know where the amount of Rs 54.5 lakh released for implementation of the Scheme by the Government through the DC has gone, the Adhyaksha informed that no response has also been received till date on the report sought from DC in this regard sometime earlier.

A spokesperson of the Zilla Parishad members, who was also present during the press conference, maintained that the meeting convened by the DC today was intended to mislead the people.

No prior report had been ever sought from the Zilla Parishad in connection with preparation of the proposal of the work programme of the scheme, the spokesperson added.

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