RTI Revelations Expose Rampant Unauthorized Fee Collection; Governor Urged to Intervene
TFM Report
A bombshell Right to Information (RTI) reply has revealed that permits granted to 21 organizations to manage parking services in Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) areas have expired, yet illegal fee collection persists unchecked. The IMC’s failure to renew licenses or crack down on rogue operators has left citizens at the mercy of unauthorized collectors, sparking outrage over financial exploitation and civic mismanagement.
Public Outcry Reaches Governor’s Desk
In a formal complaint to Manipur’s Governor, activist Khangembam Shamungou Singh has sounded the alarm over the “rampant exploitation” of citizens through unauthorized parking fees. The plea highlights blatant violations of the Manipur Municipalities Act, 1994, and constitutional rights, urging authorities to:
– Halt illegal collections immediately.
– Clarify permit statuses for all 49 IMC parking zones.
– Prosecute offenders under Section 318(4) BNS for cheating and dishonesty.
– Recover lost revenue and implement transparent policies.
How Unregulated Parking Violates Rights and Robs Revenue
The unchecked practice not only breaches Article 300A of the Constitution (right to property) but also:
– Drains public funds: Government loses legitimate revenue for welfare projects.
– Fuels chaos: No accountability for parking management or fee utilization.
– Invites crime: Unregulated collectors operate with impunity, risking public safety.
“This is organized daylight robbery,” the complaint states, citing Section 74-75 of the Manipur Municipalities Act, which reserves parking regulation exclusively for civic authorities.
Expired Permit Roster Reads Like a Who’s Who of Exploitation
The RTI reply lists 21 entities operating with lapsed permits, including:
– Five Brothers’ Foundation
– Nagamapal Youth Development Organisation (NYDO)
– Kangla Construction Pvt. Ltd
– All Manipur Fish Farmer Ngayok Marup Welfare Association
– Manipur Sweeper Association (managing key zones like Khongnang Ani Karak-ISBT stretch)
Permits for all expired in 2023, yet collections continue unabated. Only three agencies—Manipur Sweeper Association, Dewlahland Development Authority, and United Youth Gym—hold valid “until further order” permits.
Here, it is worth mentioning that Imphal Municipal Corporation oversees 49 designated parking zones across its jurisdiction. Among these, key stretches remain under authorized management: the Khongnang Ani Karak to ISBT route (both sides) and the western perimeter of Johnston Higher Secondary School to M Sector are operated by the Manipur Sweeper Association. Meanwhile, Dewlahland Development Authority manages parking along 5th Avenue (from MBC Memorial Sanctuary Gate to Tiny Tots Unique School), and United Youth Gym, Wahengbam Leikai, oversees the Wahengbam Leikai Road stretch. These three agencies hold unique status—their permits remain valid in perpetuity, as per official records, “until further orders.
Will IMC Clean Up Its Act?
With copies of the complaint sent to IMC, SP Traffic, and City Police, pressure mounts for:
- Immediate crackdowns on illegal collectors.
- Audits to recover lost revenue.
- Policy overhaul to prevent future exploitation.
Why has IMC turned a blind eye? Who profits from this systemic failure? These are some of the questions that need answers. As Manipur’s Governor weighs action, the scandal underscores a stark truth: expired permits are not just bureaucratic lapses—they are gateways to public exploitation. For Imphal’s harried drivers, justice cannot come soon enough.