Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 01 2009:
Alleging that there are practically no signs of any work taken up under the MP Local Area Development Fund in the hill districts of Manipur, a new body christened Citizens Concern for Development of Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency has been formed to ensure utilisation of the fund for the stated purposes.
Formed by different civil society organisations of Churachandpur, Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati, Sadar Hills, Thoubal and student organisations and political parties, the new body has seven convenors drawn from each of the seven districts in the Constituency.
Addressing a press conference at Hotel Sagar at MG Avenue today morning, spokesman of the newly formed organisation, Athuan Abonmai said that to develop their constituencies, each MP is allotted a sum of Rs 2 crores annually as MP Local Area Development Fund.
No MP can use the fund for his or her personal gain, said Abonmai.
The public can see the community development works taken up by Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing from the MP Local Area Development Fund, said the spokesman and added that however no community development work is visible in the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency during the tenure of MP Mani Charenamei in the last five years.
Since the MP has been using the fund released under the Local Area Development Fund for his personal gains, no development works can be seen in the hill districts, said Abonmai.
Where has the Rs 10 crores that Charenamei received during his five year stint disappeared to, countered Abonmai.
Setting an ultimatum, the spokesman said that the MP should clearly spell out where and how the money has been utilised within ten days time.
If the MP fails to produce a white paper on the matter within the said deadline, then the newly formed organisation along with other NGOs and CSOs will launch a series of intense, democratic movement, announced Abonmai.