ICHAM brings life giving water to Ukhrul village
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 15 2010: An endeavour started in 2008 has now borne fruit with the coming up of a water tank and the laying of water pipes for three kms at Tultuk village under Phungyar Assembly Constituency in Ukhrul district.

In 2008, members of the Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur visited the said village and found that there were practically no basic amenities at Aishi, Mobai Lok and Kultuk villages in Ukhrul district.

Apart from splashing the stories of the lack of basic amenities in these villages, ICHAM also approached the Government to do the needful, informed the president of the organisation N Rajendro (Boy).

Ultimately the Government sanctioned the construction of several basic infrastructures in these villages and the water supply scheme work taken up by ICHAM was inaugurated on April 12 .

Getting a taste of the newly constructed water supply scheme

Apart from constructing a water tank with the capacity of five thousand litres, water pipes were also laid covering three kms.

The work was executed at the cost of Rs 3.5 lakhs, said Rajendro.

Kultuk, Aishi and Mobai Lok lie on the Indo-Myanmar border and have not featured in the development radar of the Government for long.

The water supply schemes for Mobai Lok and Aishi were on the other hand entrusted to the local MLA, and while the water pipes have been laid, the tanks are yet to be built.

N Rajendro expressed hope that the said two villages will soon get the benefits of the water supply schemes.

The president of ICHAM added that under the Border Area Development Programme, a sum of Rs 20 lakhs was sanctioned to build a road connecting these villages.

The work was never carried and instead it came to light that the contractor had withdrawn the amount, he said.

After the matter was highlighted through the media, the Chief Minister instructed the Deputy Commission of Ukhrul to penalise the recalcitrant contractor and accordingly action was taken up.

Now the road has been constructed, he added.

Back in 2008 there was no primary health centre at Kultuk village, said Rajendro, but added that now the construction of the health centre has been completed.

Drawing the attention of the Government to the plight of the villagers settled in the border areas, Rajendro urged that the road leading to these villages be black topped on a priority basis.

Earlier it was only left to the people of Kultuk village to air their grievances, but now with unity and a helping hand, their causes and grievances are being brought to the notice of the Government.

The inaugural function of the water supply scheme at Kultuk village was graced by the ICHAM president as chief guest, while the president of the Kuki Chiefs' Association, Paolun was the functional president.