IMPHAL, Aug 7 NNN : The All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has alleged that school building construction works under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Avyan (RMSA), Manipur have not been completed in want of funds.
\nATSUM general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang said that old school buidings have been dismantled for the construction of new buildings under RMSA for 2010-2011 and at the end of the day it is the students who have been greatly affected. The ATSUM leader said the students\u2019 body had investigated on the matter and found out that contractors engaging in the works could not complete the task as the fund meant for the works have not been released by the concerned authority.
\nATSUM then alleged even whatever amount that was released earlier, there were 11.7% deduction as departmental charge and 5.6% deduction as local sale tax which is totalling to some 17% deduction.
\n\u201cWe have investigated on the matter and the concerned authority has told us that the finance rule has it that these two components are to be deducted at source,\u201d the ATSUM revealed.
\nAccording to ATSUM, regarding the NLCPR projects such deductions are not allowed.
\n\u201cWe have also received numerous complaints that there have been heavy impositions of taxes both from valley and hill based underground organisations,\u201d said ATSUM while adding, \u201cSince RMSA works are closely related with education and the welfare of the student community, we are disturbed to see this kind of unbecoming action from the concerned authorities.\u201d
\nThe tribal students\u2019 body then urged the concerned authorities to rectify it at the earliest in the interest of the student community.
\nMeanwhile, at the backdrop of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) gaining momentum for recognition of Meiteis as Scheduled Tribe, ATSUM demanded for setting up of a separate state commission for Scheduled Tribe under Article 338-A of the Constitution.
\n\u201cIt has been our long standing aspiration to find a State Commission of the Scheduled Tribes in Manipur under the Article 338A of the Indian Constitution which would usher in all round Development and progress in respect of the Tribal people in this eastern most part of the Indian Union.
\nThe National Commission for Scheduled Tribes which came in to force on 19th February, 2004 has failed to provide adequate service to the state of Manipur a it is based on the distant centre in Shillong\u201d, ATSUM said.<\/p>\n\n