Officials recognised villages sans state’s nod to help their community: Manipur CM

Imphal, Oct 8: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday said that several officials had in the past given recognition to hill villages without obtaining approval from the state government for the benefit of their community.

The villages, which were registered by officials like divisional forest officer (DFO) or sub-divisional officer (SDO) by exercising power beyond their capacity, will not be given government facilities such as MGNREGS and water supply, the chief minister said.

Singh, however, said the government would not take action against those officials since most of them had retired and on humanitarian grounds.

“A mere DFO or an SDO was giving recognition to hill villages at Langol and Nongmaijing (hill ranges). Thirty-one villages were given recognition by an SDC (sub-deputy collector) at Churachandpur Khouphum area (forests) which is beyond their capacity,” Singh said.

The chief minister was addressing a gathering on the occasion of the culmination of the 70th Wildlife Week Celebration.

He urged officials to perform their duties within the ambit of the Indian Forest Acts and provisions of the Constitution.

Lokchao in Tengnoupal district is considered a wildlife area, though there is no wildlife there, the chief minister said.

In Moreh, a village chief allotted acres of land to the security forces through an officer of the revenue department without consulting the state government, he said.

“Several officials have given recognition to hill villages in the past without taking due approval from the government… Villages not recognised by the government or not properly registered will not be given government facilities such as NREGS, fire services and water supply,” he said.

Singh stressed the need for politicians and government officials to be sincere and committed towards preservation of wildlife and forests.

“Everything is destroyed. You cannot see a big tree in the reserved forests. We the politicians and officers are responsible for this for we are not sincere. Unless we are sincere, no function, seminar and celebration will be fruitful,” Singh said.

“Once you become an officer or an elected representative, you no longer belong to your community only but to the country and the state. You should work for the welfare of the two and not for the particular community you hail from,” he said.

Many one-sided recognitions were made by officers for the benefit of their own community, the chief minister said adding that future will be difficult if forests and revenue officials are not sincere.

Singh also urged villagers in hill areas to voluntarily surrender hunting weapons and rifles to protect wildlife.

He lamented that Loktak, the largest freshwater lake in the region, is under threat because of encroachment. “If not protected timely, it will vanish,” the chief minister said.

Later, Singh told reporters that temperature is rising in the state because of large-scale deforestation.

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

NTPC’s Bongaigaon plant awarded for healthcare promotion, environment protection

Guwahati, June 29: State-run power major NTPC Limited's Bongaigaon...

Diksha Dagar in top 10 after three rounds in German Masters

Hamburg (Germany), June 29: Diksha Dagar held onto her...

India has set USD 1 bn turmeric export target by 2030: Union Minister Amit Shah

Hyderabad, June 29: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on...

UK police reviewing rapper’s anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury Festival

London, June 29: British police said they were examining...

Trump calls for deal on war in Gaza as signs of progress emerge

Tel Aviv, June 29: US President Donald Trump on...

162 students trapped in inundated residential school in Jharkhand after heavy rain rescued

Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), June 29: At least 162 students trapped...

5.3 magnitude quake hits Pakistan; 5 people injured

Karachi, June 29: At least five people were injured...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img