Imphal, December 15 2010: The Public Action Committee (PAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly concluded its three day visit (from 13th to 15th December) to Moreh to inspect various developmental and departmental works that are being undertaken.

The visiting team comprised of MLAs Radha Binod Koijam, RK Anand, Dr Ng Bijoy, Brajabidhu and Meghajit along with official members.

The PAC team inspected the works being undertaken by the PWD, IFCD, electricity and taxation departments of the government of Manipur.

They also visited Moreh Hospital, the integrated check post, mini secretariat and the construction of the river side retaining walls by the IFCD.

After inspecting the various work sites, a meeting was held at the Trade Centre Conference Hall in the evening of 14th December between the members of PAC and officials from the concerned departments.

Conveying the objective of the three day long trip, PAC chairman Radha Binod Koijam said that the PAC has undertaken the visit to ensure that there is transparency, accountability and effectiveness in the various work programmes taken up by the different departments under the present government.

He said that in view of the strategic importance of Moreh in the Look East Policy, the state government should take special interest in developing Moreh.

He said that if the works taken up at Moreh are not completed well on time, the possibility of developing a border trade centre might go to Mizoram.

He advised concerned officials to finish works within the given deadline and said that this suggestion will be forwarded to the government.

Expressing their opinions and views, other PAC members said that NH 39 is in a dismal condition.

Looking at the condition of the road constructed by BRTF in the neighbouring town of Tamu and seeing the roads here has become a major cause of embarrassment.

They said that the PWD had started taking up repairing works at some places at the Pallel to Moreh stretch of NH 39.However all works have been stopped due to disturbances given by various pressure groups.

In this regard they sought the cooperation of the public.

They also urged the government to give adequate security for works to be continued uninterrupted.

They went on further to say all works taken up in Manipur should be completed within the set deadlines and that the government should take the full responsibility of facing all the disturbing elements squarely.

It was pointed out that the integrated check post at Moreh has been delayed by many years.

If this is to continue then the possibility of shifting the border trade centre from Moreh to another place will be a distinct possibility.

The inability to provide security to the various developmental works even after Moreh was announced as a border trade town is a big failure of the state home department, the PAC team pointed out.

In a meeting at Moreh Hospital, answering questions asked by journalists, the PAC team said that the hospital has now proven to be a total failure.

There are not enough doctors and staff and no proper infrastructure.

The X-ray machine has long been out of order and the government has not taken any action even after being told about the situation.

On being asked about ICP, it was said that the land was acquired long back but no work has been taken up till date.

This has caused hindrances to Moreh becoming a full fledged border trade centre.

Not completing ICP on schedule is a major block in the Look East policy.

All these smells of a secret policy of the government to shift the border trade from Moreh to another place, the PAC members said.

The mini secretariat is coming up smoothly, it was told.

Officials of IFCD said that due to delay in fund release, difficulties are being faced in executing the work efficiently.

They also said that it is common knowledge that lots of unauthorized tax collections are going on in Moreh.

It urged the state government to empower the home department to put an end to this.

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