Allegations made against RD department is baseless: Biswajit

IMPHAL | Aug 9 : Commerce and industry minister, Th Biswajit said the allegations made against him that the amount of the second instalment of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), has been deducted due to the pending of submitting the utilization certificate for first instalment, is baseless. The minister demanded for a clarification immediately on the matter.

He made the statement during a press conference held today at his office quarter located at Sanjenthong. He said that in the sanction order of central finance department, it is mentioned that there is no pending of utilization certificate against the recipient organisation (Rural Development department) under the scheme.

He said the allegation was made today in a news report published by one local daily. It is mentioned in the said daily that due to the pending of submitting the utilization certificates for the first instalment of the scheme, amount of the second instalment has been reduced to 50 crore instead of 200 crore.

He said an immediate clarification must be given with evidence. “The allegation made against the minister and the department is an act sabotaging the department and the concerned minister,” he stated. The allegation is to mislead the people against the government, he asserted.

If such allegations become frequent, the state will take necessary steps to clarify the people that the present government is transparent and works for the welfare of the people.

The state has taken up electronic fund management system (eFMS) while transferring wages to the respective bank accounts of the labours. With this system, the government has started transferring of funds, he added.