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Belling the Cat

IFP Editorial: The proposed ADC bill which has been rocking Manipur, perhaps could be an attempt to divert the cases of fund misappropriation in various ADCs.

ByIFP Bureau

Updated 4 Feb 2022, 3:36 am

Representational Image (Photo: Pixabay)
Representational Image (Photo: Pixabay)

 

FINALLY, the Manipur Lokayukta headed by Retired Justice T Nandakumar has directed Manipur Police to file an FIR in the ADC fund misappropriation case of Tamenglong district.

Lokayukta, in its preliminary investigation, had found prima facie evidence and has roped in the services of SP Kamjong Ravi Choudhari IPS to probe into the misappropriation of funds allegedly by at least 21 Tamenglong Autonomous District Council (ADC) officials, members and engineers.

The probe is to be completed within six months from the date of the registration of the case.

It was alleged that the Autonomous District Council (ADC), Tamenglong had spent a sum of more than 18 crore for developmental works. However, on inspection of the spots where the works were supposedly executed, the complainants found that most of the works have not been finished, and on the contrary the expenditure meant for the developmental works were reportedly released by the then CEO, ADC, Tamenglong D Gangmei to the executing agency allegedly without verifying the correctness of the works.

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Interestingly, D Gangmei was recently nominated by the BJP as its candidate from Nungba assembly constituency.

ALSO READ: IPS officer directed to probe funds misappropriation case

The funds released were to be used for development of inter village roads, construction of water tanks/reservoirs, construction of public toilets, construction of waiting sheds, construction of pucca drainages/water storm drainages, improvement of playgrounds, construction of community halls and village authority offices, extension/improvement of primary schools and setting up of solar street lightings etc.

Investigation of alleged misappropriation of ADC funds by Lokayukta had been going on in almost all the hill districts for quite some time and the Tamenglong case is the first to be acted upon by the anti-corruption watchdog.

If reports are to be believed, investigation in the case of Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel districts are already in an advanced stage and action may follow anytime soon. The allegations of fund misappropriation first came out in the open through queries by RTI activists who were threatened to withdraw their RTI applications.

The Movement for Peoples’ Rights Forum, Manipur had written to the Union Home Minister for taking prompt action to save the lives of four RTI applicants of Senapati District who had been repeatedly threatened and intimidated by some cadres of NSCN IM Shepoumaramath Region.

The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) had also directed the Director General of Police (DGP) and special secretary (Home), government of Manipur to provide police protection to RTI activists and provide them a secure place.

The MHRC gave the directive in connection with a suo-motu case taken up on the basis of news reports published in various media and social media platforms. The reports stated that two RTI activists reportedly faced reprisal after they filed RTI applications in respect to development works of Senapati district.

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Earlier, we had written about the leakages in development funds sanctioned through the ADCs. It seems nobody is interested with the issue of leakages of development funds poured through the ADCs in the last few decades whether there is an elected body or not. Ever since the NSCN (I-M) threat, the RTI activists had been running from pillar to post seeking protection and justice.

From Manipur State Human Rights Commission through Manipur State Information Commission and to Lokayukta. Perhaps, the proposed ADC bill which had been rocking the state could be an attempt to divert the cases of fund misappropriation in the various ADCs.

All hill-based MLAs cutting across party lines and CSOs had been raising hue and cry with regard to the proposed ADC amendment bill.

Although the intended objective of the campaign was to consolidate and increase the vote bank of a particular party allied with the BJP, it has also resulted in creating deep fissures in the hill-valley relations.

Now, with Lokayukta opening the worms, who knows what will be the fate of peoples’ representatives in the hills facing elections.

- EDITORIAL 

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First published:

Tags:

Manipur LokayuktaADC billfunds misappropriation casetamenglong ADCIPS Officer

IFP Bureau

IFP Bureau

IMPHAL, Manipur

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