In connection with the allegations made by MLA of Wangkhei assembly constituency, Y Erabot against former MLA O Henry regarding misuse of funds in construction of anganwadi centres, the PRO in-charge of Henry, Boyes Kom and contract workers have released a video clip clarifying that the allegations are baseless.
In the video clip, Boyes Kom mentioned that the charges against Henry were made without any research but just to take political mileage. For Wangkhei assembly constituency, there is a work programme for construction of new 12 anganwadi centres. However, the respective land owners have to sign a ‘gift deed’ to the state government where the anganwadi centres are to be constructed. No individual is willing to sign the gift deed for construction of anganwadi centres and consequently, the construction of anganwadi centres is yet to be started, he added.
He said the phase-1 fund for construction of anganwadi centres has been deposited to DRDA, Imphal East. However, no funds have been released yet for the construction. If any individual wants to get information, he or she can get it from the executive engineer of DRDA, Imphal East, he added.
Besides, Henry cannot interfere in the contract works in the construction of anganwadi centres for other assembly constituencies. The construction work is to be carried by a separate committee for each assembly constituency under the chairmanship of respective MLAs. The allegations saying that Henry might withdraw the funds of construction of anganwadi centres for other assembly constituencies are baseless, said Boyes.
Boyes further said for upgradation of anganwadi centres, there are eight centres in the work programme. Out of the total centres, repairing works have been completed for anganwadi centres located at Telipati Sahu and others near Golapati Maning Leikai. Construction work of anganwadi centre for Chingmeirong Maning Leikai is still under process. Construction and repairing works for other anganwadi centres have been halted due to residential areas issue, however works can be resumed any time after monitoring the situation of the pandemic, he added.
As a running bill for upgradation of the centres, a sum of around Rs 8 lakh has been withdrawn from TP cell and has been utilised for the construction work by the contractors. Estimated amount for construction is Rs 2 lakh each. However, after deducting all the taxes, a centre should be constructed or repaired at the cost of Rs 1 lakh, said Boyes.
MLA Y Erabot should focus on the present issues of pandemic in the assembly constituency rather than starting a debate, he added.
