Imphal, October 21 2009: Union minister of Union minister of state for rural development and Agatha Sangma Tuesday said that in the trouble torn Manipur, there is the need of monitoring rural developmental projects and schemes with the Central funds.

Miss Sangma who arrived yesterday here in Imphal yesterday for her two day visit in the state, in an interaction with some media persons on the sideline of the special feast arranged by NCP, Manipur Pradesh on the occasion of the Ningol Chakkouba however, did not give much comment on the prevailing situation of Manipur arising out of July 23 alleged broad daylight alleged fake encounter incident involving police commando personnel that claim life of two people and injure to five others She said, "It is political decision whether O Ibobi Singh will stay as chief minister of the state or not.

She has nothing to comment on it".

Talking on the developmental works taken up in the state under the funding of her ministry, she said, with the cited reason of bad law and order situation of the state, no remarkable progress in various rural development works could not see.

In order to enhance and more effective while taking up the developmental projects, there is the need of close monitoring to the mode of working and expenditure to the funds release by the Centre to the state.

On the law and order front of the state, Agatha said that she had pressed the Union Home Ministry with regard to the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act from the North East with a report compiled on her last visit in the state.

"I had conveyed a report on her interaction with the Irom Sharmila Chanu who has been on indefinite fasting demanding repeal of the Act for the last nearly nine year.

I hope the ministry (MHA) will do something," she confidently said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Agatha during her first time visit in the state after she assumed office as union state minister for rural development had called on with Sharmila at the security ward of JN Hospital, Porompat, Imphal and assured of taking up the matter to the MHA and to the Parliament as well.

During her stay in the state, Agatha yesterday attended a silver jubilee celebration function of a private school in Churachandpur district, Lalpuiphlauii Foundation School.

She also inspected some of works site where schemes and projects are taken up with the funding of Union ministry of rural development during her second time in the state since she became minister in the UPA government at the centre.

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