Resume road works, demand Kuki bodies
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 08 2011: Taking grim note of the suspension of road widening work from Sagolmang to Saikul, Kuki Inpi Saikul and Saikul unit of Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) have drawn the Chief Minister's attention for immediate resumption of relevant activities.

Speaking to news-persons at a joint media interaction Inpi president Thangkam Lupheng and KSO (Saikul) president Thongjalun Mate reminded that the Sagolmang-Saikul Road Upgradation project at an estimated cost of Rs 8.5 crore was included in the 2009-2010 work programme.

Accordingly local contractors were allotted the road expansion work in between Saikul to Ikou village in the first phase for which Rs 1.4 crore had been sanctioned, they informed while adding that local (Saikul) MLA Doukhomang was apprised by the public to allot the second phase programme to the same set of local contractors as they had implemented the first phase assignment in a satisfactory manner.

Informing that the second phase work covers the road stretch from Ikou to Purum Likli village, the duo said inspite of the local contractors having already completed 80 percent of the second phase work which was assessed at a joint inspection by Works Minister K Ranjit and Doukhomang, when the former laid the foundation stone for construction of a bridge at Morokon near Saikul, the Works Minister handed over the assignment to a close relative of his.

With the local contractors peeved at the Minister's alleged misconduct and that fact that the second phase work was nearing completion the contractors decided to cease work about three months back, Thangkam and Thongjalun maintained.

Contending that based on a written complaint by the Saikul representative the Chief Minister asked K Ranjit to reassign the local contractors which is yet to be obliged by the Works Minister till date, they also opined that Minister Ranjit not taking into confidence or consulting the local MLA (Doukhomang) while undertaking any development programme within the assembly constituency tantamount to disregarding the Saikul public.

Expressing that people of Saikul AC have been constrained to reconsider the impression that Minister Ranjit is a dynamic individual due to the latter's adamant stand on the said matter, they reiterated that the Chief Minister intervene with further delay to ensure expeditious completion of the road upgradation work.

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