Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 01:
Intervention of underground elements has been cited as the main cause to failure of smooth extension of loan benefits under Prime Minister Rozgar Yojna (PMRY) to educated unemployed youths of Manipur, according to Department of Industries and Commerce source.
The sources, however, hastened to add that as there is no interference in the beneficiary selection and loan provision in the hill area from underground organisations, with the exception of Churachandpur district, specific loan amount has been granted to beneficiaries of Senapati, Chandel, Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts for the year 2002-03.For the valley districts, selected beneficiaries are yet to get hold of their respective loan amount for the same period (2002-03) till date resulting in further delay in declaring beneficiary lists for the 2003-04 period, informed the source.
Under such circumstances uncertainty prevails as to whether the loan applicants from Imphal West-East, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Churachandpur district would receive their share at all, added the source.
Due to constant pressure of the underground outfits in selection procedure of the Department plight of educated unemployed youths could not be addressed properly, the source regretted.
Another important factor impeding smooth allocation of loan amount to the beneficiaries are reluctance to repay the loan thereby constraining nationalised banks operating in Manipur from releasing the loan amount, detailed the source.
The source further informed that compared to other States, Manipur lags far behind in loan repayment percentage with the figure standing at a miserable 17 percent.