Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has refuted an allegation of violations and irregularities in payment of over Rs 27 crore to SoO militants, explaining that the payments were made via cheques because the areas in question are unbanked and many recipients do not have bank accounts.
CM Biren informed on Wednesday on the floor of the House that monthly stipends have been released to the bank accounts of the representatives of SoO groups from time to time.
During the question hour in the assembly, Congress MLA K Meghachandra and also MLA Surjakumar Okram moved a query on alleged irregularities in the payment of over Rs 27 crore to the militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement in 2021.
MLA K Meghachandra revealed that Rs 27.38 crore had been distributed in two instalments via cheques in 2021 to militants under SoO agreement. He said that the stipend money should be transferred directly to cadre accounts, which are linked to their biometric data.
However, the payment made just before the state assembly elections, violating the model code of conduct, is a matter currently under investigation by the Election Commission.
Meghachandra also criticised the lack of transparency and called for accountability, questioning if money is being paid again to SoO militants through Manipur Police Housing Corporation.
“Amount for SoO are sent to representatives of the groups from the start but since 2022 no amount has been paid as their accounts are verified and are to be paid individually”, CM Biren said.
“Similarly, to how we pay money for NREGA, here also we paid by cheques given this problem. Since 2021, no money has been paid to SoO militants”, CM Biren said.
Further again, MLA Surjakumar Okram raised concerns over irregularities citing CAG report, that the payments were not in line with the established guidelines.
In February 2023, the department was instructed to ensure that the joint monitoring cell meets and links biometric data with accounts. The department claimed this had been done, but the CAG report deems this reply unacceptable, he said, adding that the department did not perform their duties properly, and someone should be held accountable.
MLA highlighted the fluctuation of numbers of militants and questioned how much money had been allocated to these cadres annually since the signing of SoO agreement.
“We have attempted to link biometric data, but we have faced problems given the issue that these are unbanked areas. The fluctuation in numbers is due to splits within the underground groups”, CM Biren said.
But, MLA Surjakumar pointed out that according to the CAG report, the total number of militants is 2,181, but another report mentioned 2,166. How many times has the joint monitoring cell met, he asked.
CM Biren said that the number of militant groups divided into the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) is 2181 after the reverification exercise conducted in 2013-14.
Under KNO, there are 17 militant outfits while under UPF there are eight militant groups, said Biren, adding that SoO was first signed in August 2008.
Biren informed that monthly inspections of cadres of Kuki-Zo militant groups which are observing SoO with the Central and state government are being conducted regularly.
As a part of SoO pact, a joint monitoring group comprising representatives of central and state government agencies, the KNO and UPF was formed to oversee adherence to the ground rules.
CM Biren concluded that he would address the matter at a later time.
