IMPHAL, February 6 (NNN): The proposed 48 hours bandh to be called by Sadar Hills Chiefs Association (SAHILCA) in Sadar Hills has been postponed.
SAHILCA General Secretary, Shenpu Haokip said they have postponed the agitation following a fervent appeal made by the All Tribal Chiefs Forum, Manipur.
SAHILCA was supposed to impose 48 hours total bandh in Sadar Hills including the National Highway 2 and NH-37 from 5 am of February 7.
In pursuance of an earlier meeting held on January 29, a subsequent meeting of SAHILCA was held today at Motbung regarding the implementation of MGNREGS in Sadar Hills. The meeting deliberated on the February 3, date line given to the state government for cancellation of its order issued in 2009. The Sadar Hills chiefs strongly condemned the indifference attitude of the state government in this regard.
On January 29, Sadar Hills Chiefs Association (SAHILCA) had seriously deliberated on the `new developments` vis-a-vis guidelines on the MGNREGS.
The executive body members of the SAHILCA on January 29 in a meeting had minutely discussed the new developments being initiated by the state government regarding the implementation process of MGNREGS in Manipur. That January 29 meeting had seriously taken note of the order/guidelines issued by the state government for involvement of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and other line departments in the implementation system of MGNREGS.
As per the order/guidelines issued by the state Government, 25% MGNREGS funds have been given to the ADCs and another 25% to other line departments.
SAHILCA said the order/guidelines of the state government is in total contravention of the MGNREGS guidelines issued by the central government. It may be noted that a state Government cannot change or alter the guidelines issued by a Union Ministry, SAHILCA pointed out.