Apropos to a section of the newsmedia publication on central government’s Special Plan Assistant (SPA) allotment to Manipur for the fiscal year 2012-2013.
Out of the total SPA Rupees four hundred fifty crores (Rs. 450 crores) rupees one hundred thirty three (Rs. 133 crores) was allocated to PWD. Out of this, Rupees on crore (Rs. 1 crore) each was allotted to the state sixty (60) MLAs for utilization on some pressing works of their respective constituencies. Incidentally, this may attract corruption in the highest form by some recalcitrant MLA(s).
Then, Rupees twenty crores (Rs. 20 crores) was allocated to invest in the Loktak Down Stream Project (Is Loktak Down Stream under the PWD). The remaining Rupees fifty three crores (Rs. 53 crores) was to be utilized on works, quoting the paper “in and around Imphal”. This can be interpreted the Rs. 53 crores will be extended through out the four (4) valley district which is more developed than any of the hill districts.
This goes without saying the forty (40) MLAs have the advantage to concertedly utilized Rupees fifty three crores (Rs. 53 crores) in addition to the Rupees one crore by each of them.
It is pertinent to question whether the twenty (20) tribal MLAs protested or aired their displeasure for non allotment to their six hill district PWD divisions including the PWD Sadar Hill division. Or are they too excited and forgot to analyze how the Rs. 53 crores is not evenly shared for the satisfaction of the different section of people of the state.
The chief minister who is also the finance minister ought to give serious thought and review the present anomaly and make provisions for the six PWD hill divisions to strengthen the fraternity of the people of Manipur. It may not be too much to state that, funds and works allotment be taking up basing on population on one hand and land area on the other, as they are components of making of a state.
Patrick A Kolakhe
Tadubi Bazar
Senapati District
