CHURACHANDPUR, June 1: Funds meant for several development projects meant for the welfare and development of rural areas in the sectors of education, medical and road infrastructure have been allegedly siphoned off and misused by certain elements depriving the actual beneficiaries in Churachandpur district.
This correspondent has found in an extensive study that the funding from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development NABARD are no exception.
It is learnt that the major funding bank of the government had recently sanctioned money for construction of roads in Churachandpur Town which is four km long including Simveng Kholai Road, Sugnu Road to Neihsial Road, Khuga Tampak; Zellang Veng Kholai Road to police station Mandop Leikai; Tipaimukh Road to Lamka Cemetery; Tiddim Road to D Phailian, Marian Street and Pearson Kholai Road. The entire length is 4.290 km long.
The funding has been sanctioned at the rate of Rs 57 lakhs per km.
However, the irony is that the first part of work sanctioned by NABARD which is undertaken by Manipur Development Society and looked after by the district PWD has already received several complaints from the locals.
The locals complain that the actual work at Zellang Veng area which is 960 meters long has been blacktopped without any ballast.
It is also learnt that the fund earmarked for building altogether 16 Primary Health Centres and Primary Health Sub-Centres in the district which was to start from 2010-11 have vanished after only two incomplete buildings as PHCs at Zezaw and Shivapurikhal villages.
The funds were sanctioned by NABARD through its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.
It is learnt that the project was implemented through MDS. A total of Rs. 5,40,31,600, was sanctioned for the construction of two Primary Health Centres, out of which the MDS has withdrawn Rs 3,84,47,000.
According to sources, NABARD had released Rs.Rs.2,70,15,800 through its RIDF for construction of the Tipaimukh Sivapurikhal PHC construction out of which Rs.92,84,000 had been used to construct the main building which is yet to be completed.
The remaining amount for the construction of barracks and quarters type IV quarter, type I quarter, water reservoir, approach road, gate and fencing for the centre seems to be wasted, according to sources. NABBARD has extended the project completion years after years, informed the source.
It is also alleged that on March 31, 2014, the MDS had submitted a completion report and had drawn Rs. 1,92,23,000 from the implementing agency and the same story was repeated for the Singhat Zezaw PHC with the MDS alleged of siphoning off Rs.3,34,47,000.
On the other hand, Rs. 8,79,24,620 was sanctioned for 14 PHSCs in Churachandpur district namely Khaokual PHSC, T.Khongkhai PHSC, L.Alpha PHSC, Phaibung PHSC, Chothe Munpi PHSC, Bunglon PHSC, Kangkap PHSC, Hiangmun PHSC, Tuikui Muallum PHSC, Lungthul PHSC, Dailon PHSC, Sumtar PHSC, Tuolbung PHSC, Chingmun PHSC.
However, not a single centre has seen the light of the day.
It may be mentioned that each PHSC was allotted Rs. 62.8 lakhs by NABARD-RIDF.