IMPHAL, Apr 15: Horticulture, Soil Conservation, Forest and Environment, MAHUD and Town Planning Minister Th Shyamkumar has vowed to take up stringent actions against those responsible for misusing Central funds sanctioned to the State for protection and preservation of the environment.
Speaking to media person at the Minister’s Secretariat, he said that an investigation would be launched to find out if any of the huge amount of funds sectioned for protection of the environment had been misused.
He pointed out that he would begin inspecting the conditions of the saplings and trees planted since the last 10 years at the areas covered by Forest and Environment Department and proper action would be taken against officials involved if the works undertaken so far do not match with the funds sanctioned by the authority.
He also warned against stalling any files related to the Department for more than five minutes at the office desk without proper reason and urged the officials to perform their duties diligently.
Assuring that the farmers of Manipur would be provided with the requisite materials to adopt organic farming practices, Shyamkumar said that plans are being made to provide organic and fresh produces to the people of the State through organic farming techniques at the Department’s head office at Sanjenthong.
He said that under MAHUD, many development projects are under way in different parts of Imphal and the State to improve the drainage systems and facilities.
He also said that the State Government is taking up different initiatives to facilitate people buy and sell goods during evening hours.
Shyamkumar expressed his desire to improve the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the Loktak Lake and its surrounding areas to promote tourism potential of the State adding that the authority is planning schemes and projects to enable the people of the surrounding areas improve the scenic beauty.
He informed that he would soon inspect the condition of Iroisemba Zoological Gareden.
Shyamkumar sternly warned against corruption and graft practices by any officials of the Horticulture Soil Conservation, Forest and Environment, MAHUD, Town Planning Departments.
“If people points out any wrongdoing within the departments or if people are not pleased with any aspect or works of the departments, proper lawful action would be taken up against those involved”, he added.
He further said that a committee would be constituted under the watchful eyes of the Chief Minister to investigate the various projects of the department which were taken up before the 11th State Legislative Assembly election.
Notably, an Anti-Corruption Cell was opened by the Government to check graft practices by officials.
Source: The Sangai Express
