IT Correspondent
Ukhrul, December 12:
In a significant move aimed at accelerating long-delayed development in Manipur’s hill districts, Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah has written to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, urging the prompt release of the 15th Finance Commission Grants—both Tied and Untied—pending since the 2021–22 first instalment.
In his letter (Revell fe D.O. No Guv/UkI/63/19), Muivah highlighted that the State Government has not yet released the sanctioned funds despite a clear directive from the Ministry of Finance vide letter FM-103/3/2022 TA & II dated 19 October 2023. The prolonged delay, he wrote, has severely hampered critical infrastructure projects in Ukhrul and other hill districts, many of which were planned and approved years ago but could not take off due to the non-availability of funds.
Calling the situation “deeply concerning,” Muivah stressed that the release of these long-pending grants is essential to ensure that the hill communities of Manipur are not left behind in development at a time when basic infrastructure remains a pressing need. He appealed to the Governor to intervene in the matter and “suitably advise the concerned Department for release of the above funds at the earliest in the interest of public service.”
The MLA further expressed that the Finance Commission Grants, once released, would provide a much-needed boost for road improvement, water supply, rural connectivity, public utility structures, and urgent civic works that have remained stalled for nearly four years.