IMPHAL, November 28: The Manipur State Panchayat Parishad has demanded that the government reconsider its new order regarding the implementation of MNREGS in the state.
The MSPP members further appealed to the government to restore the earlier power and status of the Members and Pradhans of the ZIlla Parishads in respect of the maintenance of the MGNREGS fund in the larger interest of rural development.
Conveying a press conference today at the Porompat office of the Manipur State Panchayat Parishad, secretary general Th Bhubol said that the new government order has deprived the Pradhans and Members of ZIlla Parishads of the power of joint operator of the account of the MGNREGS.
While urging the state authorities to check the reconsider the new government order, he claimed that the new order overrides the National Guideline of the scheme even though the scheme itself is a national scheme.
The rule/guideline issued by the Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Rural Development states that, “Each Gram Panchayat will have a single bank account for the purpose of implementing NREGS works. This account will be operated jointly by the Pradhan and the Secretary of the Gram Panchayat”, he said.
In stark contrast to the guideline, according to the November 5 state government order issued by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, the Pradhans and the Members of Zilla Parishads are no longer required for the operation of the joint account.
He continued that the replacement of authority has definitely amounted to the increasing centralization of power in the hands of the officials ignoring the importance of the representatives of the people at the grass root level, he said.
He continued that the MSPP has submitted a memorandum to the state Chief Minister on November 21 apprising the CM on the issue.
However, government authorities have replied that the issue is yet to be considered as the Chief Minister is out of station, he said.
Following the development, the MSPP has further decided to submit the memorandum again after the CM’s arrival.
However if the Chief Minster fail to consider their plea even after that, then the MSPP will take the issue to the Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister.