Aizawl, Sep 15 : The Mizoram Kuthnathawktute Joint Action Committee, a joint committee of laborers and farmers association in Mizoram has accused the state government of misusing funds meant to provide relief for victims of disasters due to the torrential rainfall last year which led to devastation of farms, small factories and displacement of over hundred families.
F Lalnienga, chairman of the committee claimed that the committee has reason to believe that the Mizo National Front (MNF) government has misused the ‘Flood/Monsoon Relief’ fund meant to provide aid to victims of the flood for distributing free supplies of rice to MNF party members.
F Lalnienga went on to say that the fund was sanctioned after a joint proposal was submitted by the joint action committee and the state government under the National Calamity Contingency Fund. However, the fund was misused and only went to members of the MNF party. “The state government never called upon our help for distribution of the fund but chose to rely on the central Young Mizo Association (YMA) and the church instead,” he said.
The joint committee asked the state government to reveal the distribution of the fund through the RTI Act and found that no fund was received during 2007-2008. The central government sanctioned Rs. 23.52 crores for relief during the fiscal year 2007-2008, 9.78 rupee crores of which has been released. The state government explained that as the fund has not been received in full, the fund has not been released by the state till today.
Speaking at the Aizawl Press Club today, F Lalnienga beseeched that a number of farms and fish farms were devastated by torrential rainfall last year. As a result of this and the Mautam famine, farmers and cultivators in the state had to rely on relief funds for their livelihood. Various farmers’ association decided to form a committee and had a meeting with the chief minister, chief secretary and department heads on September 24, 2007 for making proposal to the central government for sanctioning of relief fund for victims of natural disaster.
Deputy Commissioners of each district gave report on the extent of damage suffered in their respective districts. After reports were sent in, the state government submitted proposal for relief fund to the central government after which the central government sanctioned Rs. 49.60 crores on June 2, 2008 under the National Calamity Contingency Fund. “However, the funds sanctioned still have not been distributed to the victims of the disaster. We are now giving a deadline to the state government to distribute the relief fund before the end of September 19, 2008 to victims of the disaster. We do not wish to resort to violence but we are willing to sacrifice everything we have until we get our fair share from the state,” Lalnienga said.
The Mizoram Kuthnathawktute Joint Action Committee is a committee set up by representatives of the All Mizoram Farmers Union, Mizoram Cultivators and Labors Union, Zoram Kuthnathawktu Pawl, Zofishfed, Mizoram Fish Farmers Association, Mizoram Passion Fruit Growers’ Association and the Zoram Anthurium Growers Association.
F Lalnienga, chairman of the committee claimed that the committee has reason to believe that the Mizo National Front (MNF) government has misused the ‘Flood/Monsoon Relief’ fund meant to provide aid to victims of the flood for distributing free supplies of rice to MNF party members.
F Lalnienga went on to say that the fund was sanctioned after a joint proposal was submitted by the joint action committee and the state government under the National Calamity Contingency Fund. However, the fund was misused and only went to members of the MNF party. “The state government never called upon our help for distribution of the fund but chose to rely on the central Young Mizo Association (YMA) and the church instead,” he said.
The joint committee asked the state government to reveal the distribution of the fund through the RTI Act and found that no fund was received during 2007-2008. The central government sanctioned Rs. 23.52 crores for relief during the fiscal year 2007-2008, 9.78 rupee crores of which has been released. The state government explained that as the fund has not been received in full, the fund has not been released by the state till today.
Speaking at the Aizawl Press Club today, F Lalnienga beseeched that a number of farms and fish farms were devastated by torrential rainfall last year. As a result of this and the Mautam famine, farmers and cultivators in the state had to rely on relief funds for their livelihood. Various farmers’ association decided to form a committee and had a meeting with the chief minister, chief secretary and department heads on September 24, 2007 for making proposal to the central government for sanctioning of relief fund for victims of natural disaster.
Deputy Commissioners of each district gave report on the extent of damage suffered in their respective districts. After reports were sent in, the state government submitted proposal for relief fund to the central government after which the central government sanctioned Rs. 49.60 crores on June 2, 2008 under the National Calamity Contingency Fund. “However, the funds sanctioned still have not been distributed to the victims of the disaster. We are now giving a deadline to the state government to distribute the relief fund before the end of September 19, 2008 to victims of the disaster. We do not wish to resort to violence but we are willing to sacrifice everything we have until we get our fair share from the state,” Lalnienga said.
The Mizoram Kuthnathawktute Joint Action Committee is a committee set up by representatives of the All Mizoram Farmers Union, Mizoram Cultivators and Labors Union, Zoram Kuthnathawktu Pawl, Zofishfed, Mizoram Fish Farmers Association, Mizoram Passion Fruit Growers’ Association and the Zoram Anthurium Growers Association.
