Imphal, June 23: The Manipur Government has reportedly submitted a concocted report to the Chairman of the 12th Finance Commission Rangarajan regarding supply of drinking water and number of families living below poverty line besides several other questionable data.

The report was submitted when the Central finance team recently visited the State.

A source revealed that the State Government had submitted a report that it is supplying safe drinking to the tune of 70 liter per person at 15 towns per day.

This is way off the amount actually supplied to the people.

The information provided to the Chairman through submission of a 42 paged memorandum is based on data collected by Economic Survey of Manipur and the doctored water supply report is stated on page 12 of the memorandum, informed the source.

Out-rightly rejecting the data mentioned in the memorandum, the source countered that even at the capital area quantity of water supplied to an individual hardly reach the 70 liter mark as most household need to buy water from other sources to meet the daily requirements.

The report submitted further said that out of the 2791 localities 2604 enjoy adequate water supply in urban areas, while 183 receive partial water supply.

Four other pockets are yet to enjoy the opportunity till Jan 2003, said the report.

The report submitted to the Finance Commission team also said that 35 kgs of BPL rice are supplied to the needed families every month, which is Questionable.

Moreover, under the Antodaya Anna Yojna families at the lowest strata of the society are sold rice and wheat at Rs 2 and 3 respectively per kg.

On this, the source cited frequent controversy regarding non-supply of essential items (rice) to BPL families that has even stalled assembly sessions in the past to challenge the misleading figure contained in the State Govt memorandum to the Central team.

The report to the Commission also includes loss of Rs 35-38 crore due to prohibition on sale of Indian made foreign liquor and appeal to the Centre to compensate the loss.

In page 81 the memorandum mentions draining of State resources for State police personnel and paramilitary forces expenditures in maintaining law and order in the insurgency infested State thereby demanding to the Centre to reimburse the expenditures incurred in security related activities.

The representation also stressed on Centre providing 100 percent grant to the State Government as introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) would lead to substantial dent to State revenue.

Regarding the State Government employees the memorandum urged for (i) provision of sufficient funds to meet the liabilities for the due DA/DR of 20 percent from 41 to 61 percent for employees and pensioners of the State, (ii) provide requisite funds for the merger of 50 percent DA/DR to basic pay, and (iii) provide funds for introducing VRS for the State Govt employees.

The memorandum also clearly stated severe financial constraints faced by the State Govt from the 11th Finance Commission funding and appeal to the Centre for sufficient fund allocation during the 12th Finance Commission.

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