Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 18 2010:
Close on the heels of victims of the devastating Wino Bazar inferno decrying absence of initiative to redress their plight when the first anniversary of the blaze was observed recently, government of Manipur is working a mechanism to provide monetary assistance in the form of loan.
The total loan amount being envisioned for distribution to the inferno victims is said to be about Rs 2.80 crores, accounted as unclaimed money out of the total sum meant for beneficiaries under the Self Employment Generation Programme (SEGP).
Sharing further details, a Planning Department source said out of the total sanctioned amount of Rs 150 crore meant for distribution as loans, some applicants inspite of being approved did not claim the loan thereby resulting in about Rs 2.80 crore remaining in the State exchequer as 'unclaimed money'.
The unclaimed money is an accumulated figure from all the districts, the source said.
Listing 140 families affected by the Wino Bazar inferno as the likely beneficiaries, it confided that a joint meeting of officials of the Planning Department, Bank concerned and Deputy Commissioner (Ukhrul) under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary is scheduled for March 22 to chalk out modality on distribution of the loan.
It may be recalled that almost the entire Wino Bazar was burnt down beyond redemption in the fire incident with the victims alleging callousness and lack of initiative by the state authorities to provide solace in the form of financial compensation.
Regarding the SEGP scheme, the source said with Manipur State Cooperative Bank as the implementing agency a total amount of Rs 130 crore had already been distributed for taking up various welfare programmes.
Ever since the launch of SEGP scheme in Manipur, in 2005, MSCB has been able to generate recovery of a meagre amount of only Rs 20 crore thereby underscoring the fact that loanees do not repay loan interest in time, the source expressed and added that compared to the valley districts, recovery of loans extended to the hill area beneficiaries is an arduous task.
On the otherhand, an MSCB official speaking on condition of anonymity expressed scepticism on the Government's move to provide loan to families affected by the Wino Bazar inferno.
Elaborating, the official insisted that most of the affected family do not possess valid land document for they had been staying at rooms leased out on rent.
The official also comprehended that in case loan has to be provided the beneficiaries should be able to declare at least a standing property as security.
moreover, SEGP loan recovery from Ukhrul district has been unsatisfactory as only about 10 percent could be generated as interest from the loanees, he said.
Disclosing that out of the total amount of the Rs 2.80 crore 'unclaimed money' only about Rs 30 lakh was meant for applicants from Ukhrul district, the official said whether or not the unclaimed money should be distributed equally among applicants in the panel list need to be finalised ahead of diversion to the Wino Bazar victims.
On the government plan to provide the 'unclaimed money' to the inferno affected families, the official said apart from relief materials extended to the said families, the Governor on a visit to Ukhrul district was handed over a memorandum wherein the victims sought assistance in the form of SEGP loans.
With the Governor endorsing the proposal and forwarding the same to the Chief Minister, the latter subsequently intimated the matter to the Planning Department.
The Planning Department on its part endorsed the proposal for consideration by the Directorate of Institutional Finance that ultimately led to the proposal for extending financial assistance to the victims from the 'unclaimed money' of the Central-sponsored SEGP loan, the official explained.