Corruption amid crisis – Manipur Deserves Accountability

While the state grapples with the ongoing conflict between armed narco-terrorists and the people of Manipur, it would be a grave injustice for us to remain silent on the blatant corruption and misuse of public funds plaguing various government departments. Even in the face of this crisis, Imphal Times is compelled to raise its voice against the alarming irregularities that continue to erode public trust in the system. Before this crisis began, we exposed instances of corruption and financial misconduct by vested government officials, and we believe that the turmoil Manipur faces today should not overshadow the duty to hold public authorities accountable.
The revelations of gross irregularities within the Manipur State Rural Roads Development Agency (MSRRDA) in Imphal Times today are a stark reminder that corruption has deep roots in our state’s administration. The misuse of public funds, such as unauthorized expenditures, collusive tendering, and bypassing procurement regulations, represents not just administrative failure but a deliberate betrayal of the public interest. At a time when rural connectivity under schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is essential to the socio-economic upliftment of the state, the fact that funds meant to improve roads and infrastructure are being siphoned off is unconscionable.
The collusion seen in awarding contracts, where multiple firms owned by the same entity submitted fraudulent bids to corner public funds, is just one example of how the system is being manipulated. Such acts destroy the core principle of fair competition and funnel money into the hands of a few, while Manipur’s rural communities are deprived of much-needed development. Meanwhile, the absence of proper documentation, including delivery receipts and stock entries, raises serious suspicions that fake invoices and kickbacks were used to siphon off public resources.
These blatant violations must not be ignored or brushed aside. It is imperative that higher authorities intervene immediately to implement stricter oversight mechanisms and hold those responsible accountable. Without decisive action, the systemic corruption that has plagued agencies like MSRRDA will continue to cripple Manipur’s development trajectory, leaving its most vulnerable populations at risk.
It is crucial to recognize that corruption within MSRRDA is not merely an administrative inconvenience. It is a direct obstacle to the socio-economic progress of Manipur’s rural communities. If these irregularities are allowed to persist, the state’s development will remain stagnant, while the people who rely on these infrastructure projects will suffer the most. The ongoing crisis should not be an excuse for inaction—public funds must be used to benefit the people, not to line the pockets of a few unscrupulous officials.
Manipur cannot afford this level of misconduct, and it should not be tolerated in any government institution. The time has come for the state government to take a firm and transparent stand against corruption. The future of Manipur’s development hinges on immediate corrective action. Those responsible for these financial misdeeds must face legal consequences, and the state must commit to enforcing robust anti-corruption mechanisms. Anything less will only embolden similar practices across other government departments, further damaging Manipur’s already fragile prospects for growth.
In this critical moment, when the state is navigating both internal conflict and governance challenges, it is vital to send a clear message: corruption will not be tolerated. The people of Manipur deserve better, and the misuse of public funds must be met with swift and decisive action. The survival of our state’s development rests on the government’s ability to restore accountability and integrity to the institutions meant to serve the public good.