Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 07:
Strongly reacting to the statements issued by the headman of Chingai village, Akan K Shimray, seven village elders of Chingai have budded the statements as lies and false description of the village administration.
In a statement issued to the press, the village elders said that all the Village Authorities (VAs) cited by the headman are not rightful clan's representatives as they are being nominated by the headman against the existing Tangkhul Naga customary laws.
The VAs were nominated by the headman to cover up his dubious action and massive misappropriation of funds, scheme and properties meant for the development of the village, further alleged the village elders.
Taking a serious view of the huge misappropriation of village funds allocated by the State Government and Centre by the village headman an emergency meeting was held on October 23, 2006 and a Village Development Authority was democratically formed to safe guard and look after the development activities of the village, said the statement.
During the half yearly assembly held on September 17 this year, it was decided to debar the headman from handling all development works and the House authorised the Village Development Authority, Youth Club and Progressive Forum to handle and look after all the development activities of the village, claimed the village elders.
The Progressive Forum was formed on July 11, 2005 in view of the non-development of the village, said the elders and added that it was consequently approved by the half yearly assembly held on August 10, 2005.This was endorsed during the emergency public meeting held on September 19, 2005, it said and added that the meeting was presided by the headman.
Besides this, a sum of Rs 20,000 was sanctioned to the Forum for office maintenance from the village fund.
R Yaolei, who has been working as president for the overall development of the village together with the villagers and Village Development Authority is also the rightful president of Chingai Youth Club, claimed the statement.
Going on the offensive against the headman, the village elders also levelled a series of allegations against him and one AK David alias David Shimray, a former MLA candidate.
Giving details, the elders said that a sum of Rs 1,25,000 for construction of Anganwadi centre in 2006 has not been constructed and added that while Rs 5,000,00 was sanctioned from the MPLAD in 2006 for construction of community hall, the same has not been constructed.
The amount has been misappropriated by the headman in connivance with Ak David, it alleged.
A sum of Rs 50,458 was fraudulently withdrawn for the earth work of Awangkasom to Chingai road while another Rs 1,06,427 was also diverted to a private party, it further alleged.
Though a sum of Rs 30,000 and Rs 5000 has been sanctioned by the DC, Ukhrul and BDO, Chingai for village electrification, no work has been taken up, it alleged.