Indefinite economic blockade in Manipur from November 3

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Nov. 2 (EMN): All Manipur Tribals Development Grievances Forum (AMTDGF) has threatened to launch an indefinite economic blockade on the two National Highways (NH 2 and 37) from midnight of November 3 demanding the release of MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)funds to all districts of Manipur.

Informing this in a press note on Wednesday, AMTDGF appealed to the general public and others to cooperate with them in the larger interest of the state.

AMTDGF said they had postponed the indefinite economic blockade due to the recently concluded Diwali and Ningol Chakkouba, one of the biggest festivals of the state, by issuing a statement on October 20 this year.

AMTDGF also claimed that through a press release, they had declared that if the government does not respond within October 30, the forum would be compelled to impose indefinite economic blockade along the highways till the government releases the funds to all the districts of Manipur.

The statement claimed that AMTDGF had submitted a memorandum to the state Chief Minister N Biren Singh on October 10, 2022 demanding the release of INR 756,49,62,000 sanctioned by Government of India, Ministry of Rural Development (Department of Rural Development) Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi on June 23,2022.

It said that on the same date (October 10, Government of Manipur(Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department) had released INR 1000 lakh to the 16 districts of Manipur under MGNREGA.

Meanwhile, an allegation of misappropriation of INR 756 crore of MGNREGA funds meant for tribal people was also found in social media.

Reacting to the allegation, the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department in a press note on Wednesday evening, said that the “allegations regarding the misappropriation of funds for the tribal people by the state government is completely baseless.”

“MGNREGS funds are meant not only for tribal people but for all registered job card holders of all communities covering all 16 districts both valley and hills in the state,” the press note clarified.

The state government has received INR 756.50 crore for MGNREGA which is meant for all 16 districts of the state, out of which INR 100 crore has been disbursed and allocated for all 16 districts irrespective of hill or valley districts, the press note of the government said. Further, an additional amount of INR 150 crore will be released soon and the remaining will be released in due course.

“Hence, there is no question of misappropriation of INR 756 crore of MGNREGS funds as alleged,” it added.