Manipur government condemns, clarifies allegation on misappropriation of MGNREGS fund

Imphal: Manipur government has condemned the allegation, made by All Manipur Tribals Development Grievances Forum, HO, Imphal, that the government misappropriated about Rs 756 crore of MGNREGS funds meant for tribal people.

It has been reported that the “All Manipur Tribals Development Grievances Forum, HO, Imphal Manipur” has threatened to launch indefinite Economic Blockade in all National Highways on Thursday if 100 percent of all pending funds under MGNREGS are not released, a press release by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj department said on Wednesday.

It has also come to the notice of the state government through various social media platforms regarding allegations of misappropriation of Rs 756 crore of MGNREGS funds meant for tribal people by the government, it added.

The allegations regarding misappropriation of funds for the tribal people by the state government is completely baseless. MGNREGS funds are meant not only for tribal people but fir all registered job card holders of all communities covering all sixteen districts both valley and hills in the state, the department clarified.

“The state government has received Rs 756.50 crore for MGNREGS which is meant for all sixteen districts of the state, out of which Rs 100 crore have been disbursed and allocated for all sixteen districts irrespective of hill or valley districts. Further, an additional amount of Rs 150 crore will be released soon and the remaining will be released in due course,” it said.

“Hence, there is no question of misappropriation of Rs 756 crore of MGNREGS funds as alleged. The statement is strongly condemnable and baseless,” it added.