Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 18 2009:
Conflict between the work of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) and that of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has surfaced in Awang Khunou Gram Panchayat in Imphal West District.
The problem has come about as a consequence of the responsibility given to the Gram Panchayat was given the for digging up a pond to be served as the water resource of an Accelerated Rural Water Supply Scheme to be taken up by the PHED.
After a sanction order was issued in 2007-08, PHED started work in the construction of the rural water supply scheme for the first phase which include a pump house, reservoir and fencing.
The estimated cost of the work sanctioned for the first phase is said to be over Rs 14 lakhs.
On the other hand, the Gram Panchayat was given the responsibility of digging up a pond which is to served as the water resource of the water supply scheme under NREGS.
The size of the pond to be dug up is 700 feet in length and the breadth is around 200 feet.
In connection with digging of the pond, a sum of Rs 8.77 lakhs had been sanctioned to the Gram Panchayat for payment of wages under NERGS.
After payment of the wages, around Rs 30,000 is still left.
However, as there is no possibility on completion of digging up the pond with the remaining amount, the work has been stopped.
Meanwhile, following strong instruction from the Minister concerned for completion of the water supply schemes that have been under construction since 2007-08, officials of the PHED have gone to ensure completion of the remaining works of the water supply scheme.
But the Gram Panchayat and the local people have opposed forcing the officials to return without accomplishing any task.
The contentious issue here is that while the Gram Panchayat and the local people wanted the PHED to help them in completing the remaining work on digging up the pond, the PHED officials have asserted that the Department would finish the remaining task even if the work had been sanctioned under NREGS.
The present conflict has become a cause of delay for the completion of the water supply scheme.
Talking to The Sangai Express in this connection, Deputy Commissioner of Imphal West informed that talks have been started with both the parties and an amicable solution is likely to be worked out very soon.