IT Exclusive
In a shocking revelation that exposes deep-rooted corruption and administrative lapses, a major financial scam has come to light in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. An investigation by Imphal Times has found that at least 22 individuals who received compensation under the Livelihood Economic Rehabilitation Package linked to the Thoubal Multipurpose Project also known as the Mapithel Dam were not included in the official final list of verified beneficiaries. An amount of Rs. 1.5 Lakh was transferred to each affected beneficiary.
The scam was unearthed during a comparative analysis of two official documents: the final beneficiary list prepared by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi, and the payment list of those who actually received funds. The discrepancies are alarming.
Further scrutiny revealed that eight of the so-called beneficiaries could not be found on the Election Commission of India’s voter portal using their provided EPIC numbers. Another five showed mismatches between the names listed for payment and those recorded in the official voter database.
Moreover, while checking the corresponding voter identity card numbers (EPIC) of the final beneficiaries on the voter portal of the Election Commission of India, it was found that 25 names were not listed in the portal at all, and 11 others showed mismatched identities. These discrepancies raise serious suspicions of systemic fraud and administrative collusion.
According to available information, the list of beneficiaries was prepared by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi, and was reportedly verified through voter identity cards and field visits. However, the repeated inconsistencies found during the EPIC verification process further cast doubt on the integrity of the entire exercise. This raises serious questions about the verification process, suggesting possible collusion between local officials and fraudulent claimants.
On December 20, 2020, the Water Resources Department transferred Rs. 39.64 crore to four districts for direct disbursal to verified beneficiaries. Kamjong received Rs. 28.78 crore for 1,919 beneficiaries. Kangpokpi received Rs. 1.365 crore for 91 beneficiaries. Imphal East received Rs. 8.50 crore for 567 beneficiaries. Ukhrul received Rs. 99 lakh for 66 beneficiaries.
Each affected family was entitled to Rs. 3 lakh as livelihood support — Rs. 1.5 lakh to be paid by the state government and the remaining Rs. 1.5 lakh by the Ministry of Water Resources. This package was part of a 19-point Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on December 4, 2020, between the Government of Manipur, the Mapithel Dam Affected Headmen, Chiefs and Elders Organisation (MDAHCEO), and the Joint Action Committee Against Forced Construction of Mapithel Dam (JAC-AFCMD).
Earlier, speaking at a press conference at the Manipur Press Club in October 2024, MDAHCEO Chairman M. Ngaranmi expressed deep frustration over the continued neglect of affected communities. He alleged that most of the 18 livelihood-related clauses in the MoA had been ignored by the state government.
“The dam, though completed, stands today as a monument to broken promises,” said Ngaranmi.
The discovery of fake beneficiaries in Kangpokpi has cast a shadow over the integrity of the entire compensation framework.
The Thoubal Multipurpose Project, envisioned as a solution for irrigation, drinking water, and electricity generation, has instead become a flashpoint for protests, legal battles, and now, fraud. As more evidence of malpractice emerges, public trust in both the dam project and the state’s rehabilitation efforts continues to erode.
