Asem Bhakta, Special Correspondent North East
Imphal: (Waari Singbul Network ) If a memorandum to the Hon’ble Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) supposedly submitted by the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs of the Manipur Legislative Assembly is indeed truth, serious allegations are raised against the State Government, claiming deliberate neglect of development projects in the Hill Districts of Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023.
The memorandum by the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs assert that development works in districts such as Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Pherzawl, inhabited predominantly by their communities, have been blatantly neglected by the State Government. They allege that effective governance is absent, adversely affecting development and administration.
The MLAs also claim that funds for road construction and other infrastructure development, including the Special Development Fund for tribal MLAs, have been halted. Moreover, they accuse the Manipur Government of excluding their districts from the priority list submitted to the North-Eastern Council for the current year’s development works, describing this as part of ongoing discrimination.
In a swift response to the allegations raised by the aggrieved Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs, the reliable government source while expressing serious doubt on the authenticity of the memorandum has categorically rejected these allegations as baseless and false. The source provided a point-wise rebuttal, highlighting several key points:
As regards the Special Development Fund, the high level source stated the said fund was not released in 2023-24 for any district due to the non-submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs) for funds released in 2022-23.
While acknowledging the law and order challenges prevailing in the state since May 3, 2023, the source clarified that developmental works have been impeded in both hill and valley areas due to disruptions in the movement of materials and labor. However, he asserted that from the latter part of 2023, development works had restarted in most districts, including Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, with improvements in law and order. Projects under PMGSY, PWD, pipeline, and highway construction resumed significantly. Water supply projects and other civil works in these areas continued under Externally Aided Projects.
Further, the source admitted that the State is going through a financial crisis due to a significant loss of revenue caused by the unrest. This has impacted fund releases for most projects across the state in 2023-24. The financial strain was exacerbated by the need to allocate funds for relief efforts, security, and elections.
Contrary to the allegations by the aggrieved MLAs that their districts like Churachandpur and Kangpokpi were excluded from the priority list in the proposal submitted by the government to the NEC for 2023-24, the representative of state dispensation stated that the NEC proposals included projects for these districts, specifically for using horticulture crops to counter shifting cultivation. Notably, it added that the four districts—Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Pherzawl—continue to receive funding under Externally Aided Projects, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and State-funded Projects across various sectors apart from the DoNER projects.
As allegations and counter-allegations fly, the ethnic violence and ensuing administrative challenges highlight the urgent need for constructive dialogue and cooperation to ensure equitable development and peace in Manipur.
