TMB Report
Imphal: Indigenous People’s Forum Manipur (IPFM) has urged the Government not to take up any development works without local partners contending that entrusting all contract works with the Companies from outside has failed the opportunity to improve the economy of the State.
Addressing the media in a press meet held at Manipur Press Club, President of IPFM, Asang Kasar stated that the centre has sanctioned various funds for taking up development projects of the State. However, the contract works of these projects have been allotted to MNCs from outside the state. As such, there is not much change and improvement in the economy of the state. The advantages, supposed to be received by the local labourers, have been given away to immigrant workers from outside the state.
He said that the development projects of the state are meant to increase the economy and income of the state by giving job opportunities to the local labourers. At least 72 percent of the development projects taken up in the State must be reserved for the local people.
Asang Kasar observed that involvement of local people in the development projects will increase the economy and income of the state and its people. He urged the State Government and concerned authorities to look into the matter and to give opportunities to the local people. He stated that if the demands are ignored, IPFM along with the CSOs of both hills and valley will launch agitation and halt the projects in the State.
