Imphal, July 09: The Imphal Municipal councillor have strongly rejected allegations levelled by the striking IMC employees that some of the councillors deserved to be charged for the present pitiable financial condition of the Council.

Taking note of the allegations against the Councillors the IMC chairperson Moirangjao Kabui has even issued a explanation notice to striking leaders and employees on why punitive action should not be initiated against them.

Speaking to the Sangai Express today the chairperson flatly rejected the employees� allegation as misleading and without foundation while contending that the present financial problems is due to implementation of the fifth Pay Commission as well as ceasefire extension related agitations.

Negligible grant provided to the IMC in contra- st to exclusion of octroi check-posts from the direct purview of the council since 1986-87 is another important factor for decline in revenue generation that has led to the present financial crisis, Moirangjao asserted.

Explaining on the contention he said compared to previous practice of levying taxes on goods in consonance with weight the taxes were converted as value orientation of the goods while adding that minimal income generated through such system was neutralized with the implementation of the Fifth pay Commission pay scale to the employees.

When the IMC functioned under control of the State Government concerned heads were not faced with the burden of complexities of Fifth Pay Commission, he reminded.

In contrast the present Councillors had to deal with non payment of salaries and pensions for as long as nine months which turned out to be severe headache for them (Councillors) as fiscal position of State Government has close connection with income generation of the IMC.

On the 2001 ceasefire agitation connection, the chairperson claimed that the IMC Councillors after taking oath of office in the same tumultuous year could not function properly resulting in inability to clear salaries and pensions for about 4/5 months.

However, inspite of unfavorable conditions the present Councillors had been endeavoring to augment the IMC income with active cooperation of police and traffic officials and personnel, Moirangjao added.

He further claimed that remuneration for LDCs have been cleared and concerted efforts on to pay pending salaries to other employees.

Chipping in during the interaction vice chairpersons of the Council Potshangbam Shitaljit referring to the strikers allegation said construction of shopping kiosks is to increase the Council�s in- come generation and not intent on enrolling more employees as speculated among the employees.

In order to keep the capital city in a hygienic condition as well as to augment income source Imphal Scavenging Tax for Trade and Household Refuse by-law 1994 will be strictly implemented.

With an official notification for enactment of the law already issued on January 15, 1995 taxes collected from a shop in the city area would contributed from Rs 120 to 600 annually, informed Shitaljit.

Reiterating that every shop owner should register and strictly with relevant act the vice chairperson cautioned that appropriate action would be initiated against those violating the stricture very soon.

On the other hand, Ward No 7 councillor Ch Joykumar charged that IMC employees are not sincere enough while collecting and depositing taxes from various source while pointing out that through the councillors� initiative taxes totaling about Rs 6/7 lakh were collected from Imphal area shops for paying salaries to the employees in time for the Ningol Chakkouba festival last year.

Urging the striking employees to reconsider their staunch decision Joykumar informed that several plans are afoot to alleviate the financial misery of the employees.

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