Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 19:
Councillors of Lamlai Nagar Panchayat have levelled serious charges of fraudulent withdrawal and misuse of a huge amount of fund meant for the developmental works of the Nagar Panchayat by its Chairman in collusion with an official in total violation of the provisions of the Manipur Municipality Act, 1994.Out of the 9 Councillors in the Nagar Panchayat which come under the jurisdiction of Imphal East district, four of them belong to CPI.
Comprising of Lamlai, Chalou and Napet, all the developmental works of the said Nagar Panchayat are being taken up by MAHUD with funding from Manipur Urban Development Agency (MUDA).
Addressing a press conference at Irabot Bhavan here this afternoon, Councillors Thangjam Memi, Yumnam Ranbir, Irom Ibetombi and Maibam Bilashini charged that the Chairperson in collusion with an officer had withdrawn and misused all the development funds sanctioned by the Government without convening any meeting of the Panchayat or taking any resolution in this regard.
Acting on a complaint lodged with the Chief Secretary in connection with the activities of the Chairperson being carried out without the knowledge of the Councillors as well as in total violation of the provisions given in the Manipur Municipality Act, 1994, a departmental inquiry had been instituted and the report of the same already submitted, but so far no action has been taken up, they lamented.
The aggrieved Councillors disclosed that after the rejection of a work programme amounting to Rs 10 lakhs that was submitted without the resolution of the Panchayat, a revised work programme again not endorsed by any resolution of the Parishad had been submitted by the Chairman.
Subsequently, the Chairman in collusion with the officer withdrew a sum of Rs 7 lakhs fraudulently.
Moreover, besides appointing two women beneficiaries through back doors, the Chairperson purchased an old vehicle for Rs 2 lakhs and one old tractor which is not required at all for Rs 1.5 lakhs without the approval of the Nagar Panchayat, but for his own personal interest.
Action should be taken up against the Chairperson and the Executive Officer, the Councillors demanded.