Irregularities in Mega Food Park Project: Manipur Lokayukta begins personal hearing

The Manipur Lokayukta has begun hearings in connection with a complaint alleging large-scale corruption, financial irregularities, and sub-standard construction in the Mega Food Park project at Yaithibi Khunou in Thoubal district.
The complaint was filed by Imphal Times journalist Khumanthem Dhanachandra Singh of Naoremthong Laishram Leirak. It names former Managing Directors of the Manipur Food Industries Corporation Limited (MFICL)—Peter Salam, who is presently serving as Director of the Agriculture Department, and Joel G. Haokip—along with the project consultant, Global AgriSystems Pvt. Ltd.
According to the complaint, irregularities in the Mega Food Park project were exposed by Imphal Times through a series of investigative reports. However, despite these disclosures, no effective action was allegedly initiated by the authorities.
The complainant stated that a site inspection conducted in December 2024 revealed several project structures that appeared sub-standard at a simple glance. After allegedly receiving no cooperation from MFICL officials, an RTI application was filed on January 2, 2025, seeking documents including work orders, agreements, detailed project reports (DPRs), utilisation certificates, sanction orders, inspection reports, and geo-tagged photographs.
RTI records indicate that MFICL awarded works amounting to Rs. 21,30,46,959 for the Mega Food Park project. However, the complainant contends that several completed structures appear to be of significantly lower value than the sanctioned amounts, raising concerns over possible misappropriation of public funds.
Apart from this, in another irregularities case involving MFICL, Imphal Times had earlier reported on a separate instance of irregularities in the establishment of a Food Testing Laboratory by the corporation, which also occurred during the tenure of Peter Salam as Managing Director. In that case, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries ordered MFICL to refund Rs. 304.37 lakh—the first installment released—along with penal interest, after flagging serious discrepancies in procurement documents.
Persistent government inaction has effectively normalised corruption, emboldening officials and eliminating any real fear of accountability, leaving the Manipur Lokayukta as the public’s last line of hope.