MPCC seeks relief and compensation package for IDPs

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 9: Congress party has submitted a memo- randum to the 16th Finance Commission to recommend relief and compensation pac-kages for internally displaced persons, said Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president MLA K Meghachandra.
The memorandum was submitted to the Chairman of the Commission, Dr Arvind Panagariya, who was at Imphal on a 3-day visit to the State with a team.
Speaking to reporters at Congress Bhavan this afternoon, MPCC president K Meghachandra said the 16th Finance Commission's recommendations, grants and funds should reflect the needs of the State and people who have been affected by the conflict since May 3, 2023 that has displaced thousands who are languishing in relief camps.
Even as the conflict has hit the economy, the State is staring at a colossal loss of funds and grants during the 15th Finance Commission due to sheer failure of the "BJP's double-engine Government", he said.
Elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and other local bodies have not been held, and as such, the State is unable to receive funds worth crores, he claimed.
He said the Government's failure to hold elections to the local bodies has deprived people of their rights.
"By instituting temporary administrative committees and appointing members out of their pockets, they are trying to steal huge amounts of money," Meghachandra alleged.
He asserted that the "selection" of members of the administrative committees instead of holding the overdue elections manifests the "dictatorial" nature of the BJP and "erosion of democracy" under its regime.
The State should hold the elections to the local bodies at the earliest and utilise the funds which would otherwise be wasted, he said.
Meanwhile, he said that the 16th Finance Commission's recommendations will be valid for 5 years from April 1, 2026.
The Commission's recommendations including the funds and grants for the State should include compensation and rehabilitation packages for the internally displaced persons among others, Meghachandra said.
He informed that the Congress party made several requests to the 16th Finance Commission Chairman and the team.
Notably, the 16th Finance Commission (FC-XVI) was constituted on December 31, 2023 with Dr Arvind Panagariya as the Chairman.
The Commission's tenure is until October 31, 2025, and its recommendations will be valid for five years starting from April 1, 2026.
The Commission's main task is to determine how revenue should be shared between the Central and State Governments. It determines  the share of each State from the divisible pool of Central taxes and recommends grants-in-aid to States in need and measures to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State.
During the 16th Finance Commission Chairman's visit, Meghachandra said the Congress laid focus on the conflict, its impact on the economy and the conditions of the internally displaced persons.
The memorandum submitted to the Commission urged it to recommend packages which would cover compensation and resettlement of the displaced families, he said.
The memorandum further sought grants for hill areas which have been hit economically by the conflict, and requested the commission to recommend special packages for PRIs, ADCs and local bodies, he added.
When a State's Budget is supposed to increase yearly, Manipur's Budget, however, has decreased from previous years. This is a clear indication that the State is lacking behind in income generation, Meghachandra said.
To improve and enhance income generation, he said, Congress urged the Commission to recommend and implement tourism projects and other schemes that would enhance agriculture and allied activities.
Further, the memorandum urged the commission to include funds and grants for development of sports complexes and improve infrastructure of Manipur University of Culture, DM University and Manipur Technical University etc. Congress urged the commission for special grants to improve National Highways and reduce air-fare.
Several members of MPCC were also present at the press meet.