Imphal, October 06 2009: Believe it or not ! The Government of Manipur has been collecting electricity taxes every month from as many as 2000 Government employees in 40 different villages of Ukhrul district though they are not getting power supply.

On the other hand, disappointed over the alleged lack of developmental activities of the Government in the area, people of Kharasom have indiscriminately fell pine trees to meet their developmental requirements.

These interesting facts came to light during a recent inspection visit of the villages under Chingai Block of Ukhrul district conducted jointly by ICHAM, Tangkhul Youth Council, Raphei Students' Association and mediapersons.

In May 2005, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had laid the foundation stone of a 33/11 KV power sub station at Namrei.

Construction of the power station which aims to electrify 40 villages in Raphei area was completed in January this year, though the power station is yet to be inaugurated and made operational.

The feeder lines have not been connected with cables for transmission of power.

Inspite of that, over the last three years the Power Department has cut the power lines of all the earlier consumers on the assurance that supply of power would start from the newly constructed sub-power station.

But many Government employees in 40 villages, which have no more power connection, are being made to pay taxes all these years, according to president of Raphei Students' Association, Tennyson.

He also urged the Power Department to translate its assurance of completing the task of fitting the cable on the feeder lines within the current month so that supply of power may begin before Christmas.

At Kharasom, the villagers expressed disappointment over the alleged failure of the Government to take up developmental works in the area.

Interacting with the visiting team in this regard, headman of Kharasom, JN Shimray, disclosed that as the Government has not taken care of the developmental works of the people, the villagers have been compelled to cut down a large quantity of pine trees in connection with purchasing PVC pipeline to replace the rusted pipes once laid by UNICEF to ensure water supply to the people.

The headman, however, added that the villagers are aware of the environmental changes taking place and would like some agencies to come and organise environmental awareness camp for the benefit of the villagers as well.

On the education and health sector, the inspection team came across that in Government High School at Jessami, there are no teachers although the enrolment of the students is appreciable.

The students are being taught by some private teachers who have been hired for the purpose.

Moreover, as there is no doctor at the local hospital, the people of the area are depending on the hospital run by the BRTF.

According to ICHAM president N Rajendro, who laid the foundation stone of the marketing store cum rest house to be constructed by the Government at an estimated cost of Rs 9.5 lakhs at Awang Kasom, if the natural resources of Manipur can be utilised efficiently, then Manipur can be developed like Israel.

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