Manipur CM takes charge of Power, Works and Finance departments

Our Correspondent

Imphal, June 13 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday took charge of Finance, Power and Public Works department, an official said.

An urgent Cabinet meeting was held on Wednesday to discuss the financial crisis in the state as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a ban on all transaction of funds from the account of Manipur government with effect from June 21 for having overdrawn in excess of arrangements agreed upon with the bank.

The Cabinet authorised chief minister to take all necessary disciplinary actions to imbibe a culture of financial prudence and propriety in key state government departments, a statement from the Chief Minister’s secretariat said.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Joykumar Singh was in charge of the Finance department while the Power and Public Works department were with Th Biswajit Singh.

Stating that the government is committed to bringing a new phase wherein financial discipline will be the hallmark of governance, it said that the government also assures its employees that timely disbursement of salaries and benefits will not be impacted.

“A thorough investigation of the sanction procedures and financial management would be conducted for all key departments,” it added.

The chief minister’s secretariat issued an order stating that it was noted that huge amounts were withdrawn by Public Works and Power department during the period of March to May while the Model Code of Conduct was in force.

According to the office memorandum issued by Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister, three-committee comprising Principal Secretary V Vumlunmang, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary Nidhi Kesarwani and Deputy Secretary W Ajit Singh would examine the funds withdrawals by other departments.

On Wednesday, Manipur government has notified to all departments to put on hold any recruitment process currently undertaken by them whether for regular, contractual, casual and adhoc appointments with immediate effect. The notice also covers all agencies, societies, undertakings, boards, corporations etc under the state government.

In an office memorandum on Wednesday, Department of Personnel Administrative Reforms said that no recruitment process shall resume without specific permission or instruction from the department.

Transport and Power departments separately issued two orders on Wednesday to temporarily put on hold all recruitment process in the respective departments with immediate effect.