Imphal, September 08: Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul District Pankaj Kumar Pal has denied the charges of misusing the fund released under various Centrally-sponsored projects for the development of the district and said these projects are being implemented successfully.

Setting the record straight on the charges levelled against him by some voluntary organisations, the Deputy Commissioner categorically stated that the account related to the Swajaldhara scheme being taken up in 33 villages of Phungyar and Ukhrul Blocks of the district may be verified and cross-checked by anybody if they have any doubt.

While informing that a team of the National Level Monitoring Committee of the project might be coming to Ukhrul in the last week of the current month to inspect the progress of the work, Pankaj disclosed that the proposal for the second phase of the project had already been submitted.

In connection with the operation of mobile dispensaries under BADP, the Deputy Commissioner said till date medical assistance have been extended to 15 villages apart from distributing medicines free of cost.

However, this work is being done under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer, he added.

The district administrator had been charged with withdrawing 30 percent of the fund released under Swajaldhara project being taken up in Ukhrul district for the first time in Manipur, non-implementation of Hariyalli Project for which a sum of Rs 49 lakhs had already been sanctioned, failure to operate Mobile Dispensaries under Border Area Development Programme in time and favouritism in implementation of SGRY.

In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, Young Raphei Conference, Northern Raphei Students' Union, Kathor Katamnao Long and Sagolmang Area Naga Students' Association had also demanded action against the Deputy Commissioner in this regard.

Speaking as a spokesman on behalf of these five organisations, president of Young Raphei Conference Tuithing Zingkhai had also warned of taking up various intense form of agitation if the Government fails to do the needful within September 10.He further informed that Tangkhul Youth Council and Tangkhul Shanao Long would also extend their support to the proposed agitation.

Meanwhile, many district level officers have come to the rescue of the Deputy Commissioner by denouncing the charges levelled against him as baseless.

Giving more details on the implementation of the project, Assistant Project Office of DRDA Ngamreiwung Luithui said implementation of the project kick started in April this year after the fund was sanctioned in March and the release order was issued.

For implementation of the project, Union Ministry of Rural Development is providing 90 percent of the fund, while the villages concerned have to meet remaining amount, in the form of manpower (5 percent) and matching share of another 5 percent of the amount.

Out of Rs 3.44 crores required for the implementation of the project, the Union Ministry would be providing only Rs 3.18 crores as its share.

But so far only 75 percent of the fund has been released, he said, adding that out of the total sanctioned amount, only Rs 225.76 crores have been utilised.

Though the work on construction of the water tanks and laying of the pipelines in some of the villages is still underway, all out efforts are being made to complete the entire work within the current month, the Assistant Project Officer said, adding that construction of Intake and connection tanks, distribution tanks, construction of reservoir and laying of pipelines are all part of the Swajaldhara projects.

On the implementation of mobile dispensaries under BADP, CMO Ukhrul Jim King Jajo said the giving of free medial treatment by going from village to village began from August with the assistance of the MOs of the blocks concerned.

More doctors and staff would also be utilised if it is required.

Rationalisation process of the medical staff would also be taken up to meet the requirement of doctors and nurses in various health care centres of the district, he added.

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