IMPHAL, May 20: The Manipur government understands that without submitting the utilization certificates of the funds sanctioned by the Centre, the State will not receive more funds from the Centre and has submitted the utilization certificates but without any actual work being undertaken, claimed Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram today.
The State government had received huge funds from the Centre for construction of public community halls, roads, water supply schemes, etc under several projects, he said at the flag hoisting cum public meeting held at the Phunal Maring playground for the party`™s ADC candidate of 23-Nongmaijing ADC constituency.
He said although the Utilisation Certificates of the projects have been submitted to the Centre, it is unfortunate that not much work is seen on the ground.
The Union Minister said he has received a memorandum from the village chief urging development of road and other development works to be taken up in the area.
He said he doubts handing over development funds to the State government.
The people are asking for funds amounting to some Rs 5-6 crores and he is ready to do so but it is doubtful whether it will reach the intended beneficiaries once the amount is handed over to the State government, he asserted.
Now it is the opportune time for the people to elect the BJP candidate P Marung and receive the development funds directly, he said.
The Congress is unable to speak about any development in its campaign. This is because they have already enjoyed the entire funds meant for development and now it is resorting to spreading false propaganda that once the BJP comes to power, the Christians and other minority sections will suffer, Oram continued.
He said if people want change they have to disbelieve they have to bring BJP to power.
BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary Media Laimayum Basanta Sharma said the Congress had enjoyed the entire funds sanctioned for the development of the ADC areas.
The elected ADC members are unable to take up any development work under the Congress rule, he rued.
However, once the BJP comes to power, the devolution of power to the ADC`™s is certain, he said.
Meanwhile, attacking the sitting ADC member of Nongmaijing Constituency, BJP State general secretary administration M Asnikumar said in the name of constructing a community hall at Sandang Semba during the year 2012-13, Rs 934000 was sanctioned.
He continued, for the construction of elevated water tanks in eight schools located at Poirou Tangkhul, Nungkot Khuman, Nongmeiband, Lishamlok, Karpur Sungba, Uran Chiru, Tombihao and Terakhong, a total of Rs 5,28,000 had been sanctioned.
The ADC member had also taken money for the construction of public toilet, road, waiting shed, piggery farm, banana plantation schemes, etc, he continued.
BJP State president Th Chaoba appealed to the people to support the party`™s candidates so as to bring a change in the hill districts.
He also charged the Congress government of depriving the poor people of food grains and other essential commodities provided under the Public District System.