Imphal, October 20 2010: Going ballistic against his own party colleague, Chairman of State Planning Board and MLA Bijoy Koijam has contended that Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister ought to relinquish the post as the Department has not been able to function properly.

Speaking at the occasion of inaugurating a newly constructed community hall under Thongju Part-II Gram Panchayat at Koirou today as chief guest, the MLA said that Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Allaudin Khan and he may be the party colleagues and he does not intend to deride him (Minister) in public, but the truth remains that the Department which is under the responsibility of the Minister has not been performing well.

As the Minister himself is not present, the staff of the Department are rudderless and the public have been deprived of their due benefits under the Gram Panchayat or MOBC, the Minister alleged, adding that there is lot of anomalies in the selection of beneficiaries under MOBC scheme.

The MLA cited that when 1000 beneficiaries have been selected from Keirao A/C, only 300 beneficiaries have been selected from Lilong A/C, which is inhabited mostly by minority communities, Selection from other A/Cs were also low.

So, when the beneficiaries have been selected in an abnormal manner, it is obvious that people would say there is corruption, the MLA added.

The MLA further said that the officers and staff of RD& IP Department are living with fear of Minister Allaudin.

What have the BDOs done for the welfare of the people, specially the Imphal East district ?, he questioned, adding that the if the Minister is to remain truant from his duty, it is better that he steps down.

Observing that Thongju A/C is a flood prone area, the MLA pointed out that there are some people who have either contested in the election earlier or wannabe politicians praying for flood atleast once so that they could don the role of social workers and distribute rice, sugar, etc among the flood affected people.

Stating that efforts are being made to include work programmes in the State Plan for construction of retaining walls to strengthen the river embankments which have not yet been covered by retaining wall, the MLA also announced that a sum of Rs 2 lakhs would be donated towards construction of a new office building of Young Development Association, Koirou.

Presided over by Pradhan of Thongju Part-II Gram Panchayat, the inaugural function of the community hall was also attended by member of Bashikhong Zilla Parishad Kangujam Rajen Mia, Dronacharya Awardee Leishangthem Ibomcha, BDO of Imphal East CD Block Th Priyochandra and former BDO of the Block Nongmeikapam Saratchandra as guests of honour.

The community hall has been constructed under the scheme of Compensation and Assignment to Local Bodies and PRIs.

At the occasion, Dronacharya Awardee and Boxing coach L Ibomcha as well as Gold medallists in the 25th State Level Senior Archery Championship were also felicitated with gifts.

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