Imphal, Nov 14, 2020; In Manipur, All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) has claims that funds for the autonomous district councils of Manipur sanctioned by the state government and the Centre have not benefitted the hill districts and the people since the funds are not utilized as per its intended purpose.
Addressing the media on Saturday, finance secretary ATSUM Kakai Singsit said that the Centre and Manipur government has sanctioned funds for the development of the hill districts but there is hardly any development in the districts.
He stated that the six members of ADCs have requested to extend their term since there are funds that are yet to be released for them.
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Kakai said that the 14th Finance Commission had sanctioned Rs 143 Crores 77 lakhs for development of six autonomous district councils in the State on March 26, 2018.
Details of the fund are Rs 28, 98,14,300 for Churachandpur district, Rs 14,88,1950 for Tamenglong, Rs 30,27,79,620 for Senapati , Rs 20, 44,40,940 for Kangpokpi, Rs 19,53,83,430 for Ukhrul and Rs 15,26,83,740 for Chandel have been sanctioned making it a total of Rs 129 Crores out of 143 Crores 77 lakhs.
Questioning where are the remaining money had been utilised, he demanded the government to bring out a white paper on how the funds are utilised.
On August 28, 2019, the 3rd State Finance Commission allotted Rs 46, 36, 85,000 for the ADCs of Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Chandel, Ukhrul, Kangpokpi and Senapati. But only a few developments have been witnessed in the said districts, said Kakai.
He also said that even on August 18, 2020, a sum of Rs 25,70,9096 was sanctioned under the 15th finance commission but there are very little developmental steps taken in the six districts.
