SMDC body executives set records straight
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 03 2014: In response to a news item that appeared in some sections of the media regarding charges levelled against Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Deputy Speaker MK Preshow Shimray, who is also the MLA of 45-Chingai A/C, of manipulation and misuse of SSA fund of Chingai Block, All Chingai Block SMDC Body president Hanringpam Horam and All Chingai Block SMDC Body Secretary R Somingam alleged that the report was published without proper verification.

Hanringpam and Somingam in a joint press statement clarified that formation of Adhoc SMDCs was necessitated and thereby decided by the General Body meeting of SSA Manipur with the Chief Minister in the chair on November 28, 2013 .

The statement added that the SSA/SMA Manipur vide letter dated 10th Dec 2013 directed/instructed all DCs/Chairmen, District Board of Education for formation of Adhoc SMDCs with respect to the schools upgraded from EGS to Primary School and new Primary School in unserved habitation as early as possible falling within their districts, for which signatories were to be DI/AI of ZEO as chairperson and DPM SSA as Member Secretaries of all the Adhoc SMDCs.

All the Adhoc SMDCs of 45-Chingai Block were formed as per standing instruction and the members of the committees were nominated by the respective villages, the statement said and added that after due enquiry and necessary verifications, the Chairman, District Board of Education finally approved the Adhoc SMDCs which were submitted by the ZEO/DPO, SSA Ukhrul.

The SSA/SMA Manipur thereby deposited the first instalment for all the schools in 45-Chingai Block which was encashed by the Adhoc SMDCs personally at Ukhrul.

All the respective convenors have signed the Actual Payment Receipt (APR), it added.

With regards to the allegation levelled by 'self-styled' SMDC Presidents of Ukhrul and Hill Districts, Ramyo Zingkhai and T Saka, who were education volunteers of the erstwhile Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS), they fail to understand that the scheme under which they were serving the public has been discontinued in the State of Manipur since 2012, the statement added.

The Education Volunteers of EGS Manipur had petitioned the High Court for absorption of their services to which the High Court denied.

Accordingly the Principal Secretary Education, Govt of Manipur vide letter dated 29/01/2014 disposed off the Education Volunteers Application as directed by the Court rejecting all their claims and hence the status of EVs in Manipur stands abolished, the statement added.

The allegation that the Deputy Speaker has siphoned off and manipulated SSA funds meant for the construction of Primary Schools in Chingai Block is completely unfounded with no supporting facts, the statement added.

The president and secretary also requested that in future any interested party in this matter should not drag the name of the concerned MLA with regards to the schools construction works under SSA in Chingai Block.

They would take full responsibility for the construction and completion of our respective schools in Chingai Block, the statement added.

The statement also requested the media not to publish reports that are one-sided without verifying the facts from concerned and interested parties.

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