Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 05:
Reacting to the series of allegations levelled against him by the ACTSOM and MTPRM, Tribal Development Minister Phungzathang Tonsing today clarified that out of the 121 school buildings to be constructed under the Autonomous District Councils only 72 could be constructed as the State Government failed to release its matching share.
He also appealed to the two tribal bodies to call off their proposed 48 hours State wide bandh.
Speaking to media persons at his office chamber today, the Minister said that the 11th Finance Commission had earmarked a sum of Rs 885 lakhs for the construction of 121 schools under the District Autonomous Council between 2002 and 2005.Detailing he said that during 2003-04 Rs 242 lakhs were sanctioned and 57 schools were constructed.
For 2004-05 Rs 48.53 lakhs was released and 15 schools were constructed, he informed.
The total amount utilised for constructing the 72 schools was Rs 427.53 lakhs, he added.
The Centre is yet to release the remaining amount of Rs 427.47 lakhs to build another 49 schools as the State Government has not been able to release its matching share which is 25 percent of the total amount, he clarified.
Under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution, the Centre allots certain funds as tribal sub-plans.
The backlog of money from 1972 till 2005 is Rs 752.37 lakhs, said the Minister.
Due to the acute financial conditions of the State the backlog amount was transferred to the State account, he explained.
For 2005-06, the Planning Department has cleared a sum of 197.37 from the backlog amount.
The plan to construct a tribal market at New Lambulane has been put on hold as the Department has run into some internal difficulties, said the TD Minister.
The problem will soon be sorted out and as the fund is ready, construction work of the market place will be taken up on a war footing, he assured.