MSPP calls off stir

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 24 : The Manipur State Panchayat Parishad (MSPP), Porompat has called off its agitation, following an agreement on MGNREGS related demands with RD & PR Minister  Th Biswajit today.
Briefing journalists at Porompat, MSPP president Md Abdul Latip said that the Minister has assured of releasing the wages of MGNREGS job card holders and the 15th Finance Commission Awards (2nd instalment) by May 20.
He continued that the assurance was given by the Minister during a meeting with MSPP members at around 10 this morning.
In the meeting with the RD & PR Minister, MSPP president Md Abdul Latip; general secretary Jadumani; Thoubal district  Adhak-shya Hashina Begum; Wai- ton Gram Panchayat Pra-dhan Pukhrambam Surbala and others represented the Panchayat functionaries of the six districts.
Md Abdul applauded the State  Government for understanding the plight of the Panchayat functionaries and job cardholders and agreeing to release the pending funds/wages.
Notably, the Panchayati Raj Institutions of 6 districts - Kakching, Jiribam, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West observed Black Day today as announced earlier.
April 24 is observed as National Panchayati Day in India.
It may be mentioned here that the PRIs of the six districts have been protesting since April 16 last, demanding wages for job cardholders, honoraria for Panchayat functionaries and release of 15th Finance Commission Awards (2nd Instalment).
Intensifying their protest, the Parishad called Statewide 48 hours shutdown on April 21 and 22, during which certain bandh supporters reportedly damaged a car of a medical practitioner on Covid duty at Phougakchao under Torbung Gram Panchayat.