Imphal, January 22: The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (Atsum) has expressed strong resentment over the alegedly tardy and unsatisfactory construction activities concerning high schools/higher secondaries, junior high schools and teachers' living quarters inspite of withdrawing certain amounts earmarked for such constructions under the Special Plan Assistance of 2006-07 fiscal in the districts of Churachandpur and Senapati.

A release issued by information and publicity secretary of ATSUM Joseph L Hmar said that the State Government had released Rs 15 crore under the SPA scheme for construction of 30 high/higher secondary schools (Rs 23.3 lakhs each), 20 junior high schools (Rs 20.28 lakhs each) and 80 type III quarters for teachers (Rs 5 lakh each) in the two districts and entrusted Engineering Cell of Education (S) Department, Police Housing Corporation, DRDA and Manipur Tribal Development Corporation for the task.

However, upon inspections carried out at Senapati and Churachandpur districts, it came to light that a good amount of money had been withdrawn with hardly any sign of construction so far in some of the specified locations while the few constructed are substandard compared to the estimated amount, the students' body charged.

ATSUM also quoted a circular of the Chief Secretary (No 1/CS-2007/MISC/5 dated April 18, 2007) which in clear terms states, "Photograph of the village authority members sitting in front of the constructions be taken twice in a month and the same should be submitted to the department concern", to substantiate its allegation of the entrusted construction agencies not conforming to specifications.

Asking State Authorities whether the said order is still in force/valid or complied with accordingly, ATSUM further desired that in case of the circular/order being annulled the public be informed.

The students' body further contended that when MTDC officials, said to be mostly responsible for the constructions in the mentioned districts, were approached on the matter, the officials not only declined to divulge details as sought but even ridiculed the ATSUM inspection team.

Peeved at such indifferent attitude of the MTDC authorities, ATSUM demanded that a high level enquiry be initiated so that erring officials be pulled up and dealt accordingly without any leniency, the statement insisted while announcing boycott of the MTDC head office for an indefinite period.

Further observing that all rank and files of the MTDC need to extend cooperation and work with sincerity towards development of the tribal people, the ATSUM said similar works entrusted and carried out by MPHC, Engineering Cell and DRDA would also come under its scanner soon.

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