With the standing liability of Rs 650.81 crore for the year 2020-21, the released amount of Rs 160 cr will be insufficient to clear the pending dues of all the job card holders, it said
TFM Desk
Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) locked horns with Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh yet again on Monday over release of Rs 160 crore fund by state government on May 21 under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Imphal West District Panchayat Parishad said the release of a meager Rs 160 crore was against agreement reached between the RD&PR Minister and representatives of Manipur State Panchayat Parishad on National Panchayat Day on April 24.
With the standing liability of Rs 650.81 crore for the year 2020-21, the released amount of Rs 160 cr will be insufficient to clear the pending dues of all the job card holders, Imphal West District Panchayat Parishad said in a press statement.
As it will create conflict between Panchayati Raj representatives — including Zilla Parishads, Pradhans, ward members, line department (concerned MLAs) –, and job card holders, the Imphal West District Panchayat Parishad decided not to accept the released fund, said the statement.
Imphal West District Panchayat Parishad also demanded the concerned minister’s clarification on non- clearance of Rs 485.51 crore released by the Ministry of RD&PR along with the state’s matching share.
The state government had on Friday released a total of Rs 160 crore under the MGNREGS and minister Biswajit had appealed to all concerned to ensure that the funds reach the job card holders.
“When the PRI representatives started holding agitations, they were given assurance that their demands would be fulfilled. The release of Rs 160 crore today, after the recent release of Rs 83.66 crore, is a part of turning that assurance into reality,” he had said.
Imphal East district Zilla Parishad had also criticised Biswajit for not honouring the agreement reached between him and PRIs of Manipur till date.
Its adhyaksa P Bimola Devi on Sunday urged concerned authorities not to pitch job card holders against the PRIs and to deliver justice without any bias. As people are not able to go out and work outside due to the prevailing situations induced by COVID-19 pandemic, Bimola also urged them to release their wages and MC funds, she added.