Friday, August 29, 2008

Divide and rule in scheme allotment, says KPF chairman

The Imphal Free Press

Chandel, Aug 28: In an interaction with media persons at Sahumphai Village,Yangkhaopau Haokip, Chairman of the Kuki People Forum, Chandel called for equitable distribution of the benefits under various developmental schemes to both Kuki and Naga people.

Maintaining that there have been many examples of disparity between allocation of funds and schemes to the Naga and Kuki people in Chandel, he said, “Out of a total of Rs.105 lakhs under the District Common Fund (2007-08), only 23 lakh was allotted to Kuki areas while the remaining Rs. 82 lakhs went to Naga areas.” According to the Chairman, the projected fund allocation for the future also shows this disparity as the financial allotment for 2008-09 of a total Rs.241 lakhs has Rs. 222 being allocated for Naga areas against Rs.19 lakhs for Kuki areas; Rs. 165 lakhs for Nagas and Rs. 76 lakhs for Kukis in 2009-10; 194 lakhs for Nagas and 47 lakhs for Kukis in 2010-11 and the same allocation for 2011-12 again.

“Such a distinct demarcation is nothing but divide and rule policy”, he alleged. He also said that when the matter was brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner of Chandel, he maintained that special packages for Kukis under the Central Government are being implemented in Khengjoi area.

Questioning the rationale behind keeping an official who does not know the difference between a special package and the District Common Fund, the Chairman has called for the removal of the current DC and to appoint someone who is knowledgeable about the area. “The list for fund allotment for the period of 2008-2012 needs to be reviewed within September 10, failing which we will launch a series of agitations”, he further added.

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