Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 25, 2010:
Phungyar Assembly Constituency MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing has expressed strong apprehension that an amount of Rs 3 lakhs is being diverted from two NREGS heads in the celebration of Golden Jubilee of Phungyar Tribal Development Block, scheduled for February 27. Interacting with some newspersons today, the MLA said Manipur has 40 sub-divisional headquarters and never in the history of the State had such a jubilee celebration been held.
Reminding that Ukhrul district headquarters has already crossed 100 years of its establishment/existence but there was no diamond jubilee celebration to herald the occasion, Wungnaoshang expressed that the Chief Minister and the chief Secretary need to explain why the Phungyar TD block golden jubilee celebration is being organised under the initiative of the State Government.
Claiming that information has been received about Rs 3 lakhs diverted from two NREGS heads for meeting expenditures in hosting the jubilee celebration, he said case the information is found to be true the matter would be put up for discussion in the Assembly.
Stating that under the objective of providing financial solace to poor families the NREGS was launched by the Government of India and as such diversion of fund meant for welfare schemes is unwarranted, the MLA desired that the Assembly's Public Account Committee probe the matter to establish veracity.
As stated some days back, Wungnaoshang said he would not change his stand of not taking part in the celebration.
Contending that the celebration programme is an outcome of political game of some Congress party leaders to politicise the event, the MLA also reiterated that he was not taken into confidence on the proposed celebration.