Governor urged to review Govt scheme
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 12 : Veteran politician Okram Joy has written to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla seeking intervention in the proposed Chief Minister Women Economic Empowerment Scheme and 'the apprehension of misuse of public welfare mechanisms for electoral influence'.
In his letter, Joy noted that any genuine welfare measure aimed at the economic rehabilitation and empowerment of women, particularly those affected by the unrest in the State, deserves appreciation and support.
However, he said the manner in which the scheme is presently being projected and operationalised has generated serious concern among a large section of the people.
He urged the Governor to launch an independent inquiry into the formulation, implementation, promotion and beneficiary identification process for the proposed scheme.
Among others, he further requested that the necessity and legality of collecting EPIC numbers and polling station particulars from prospective beneficiaries be examined.
He urged the Governor to direct the Government to ensure that all personal information collected are utilised strictly for lawful welfare purposes and ensure that no woman is induced, coerced or misled to join any SHG.
The Planning Department has initiated a process for the implementation of the proposed scheme and directed the collection of details of women beneficiaries and Self Help Groups (SHGs) including Aadhaar number, mobile numbers (Aadhaar linked), bank account details, EPIC numbers, polling station details etc, he said and added that various Government departments have been directed to facilitate the formation of new SHGs and prepare beneficiary databases.
He also said that the Chief Minister has publicly announced that a budgetary provision of Rs 350 crore (approx) is being earmarked for the scheme.
Joy said that the scheme, however, is widely perceived not merely as a welfare measure of the State Government but also as a flagship political initiative of the ruling BJP.
Of even greater concern, he said, is the requirement for collection of EPIC numbers and polling station particulars in addition to Aadhaar details, bank account information and mobile numbers.
The collection of electoral information in relation to the scheme requires careful scrutiny to ensure that public resources are not perceived as instruments capable of influencing electoral preference or security partisan political advantage.
He added that welfare schemes funded from the public exchequer belong to all citizens irrespective of their political affiliation, voting preference or support for any political party.
IMPHAL, Jun 12 : Veteran politician Okram Joy has written to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla seeking intervention in the proposed Chief Minister Women Economic Empowerment Scheme and 'the apprehension of misuse of public welfare mechanisms for electoral influence'.
In his letter, Joy noted that any genuine welfare measure aimed at the economic rehabilitation and empowerment of women, particularly those affected by the unrest in the State, deserves appreciation and support.
However, he said the manner in which the scheme is presently being projected and operationalised has generated serious concern among a large section of the people.
He urged the Governor to launch an independent inquiry into the formulation, implementation, promotion and beneficiary identification process for the proposed scheme.
Among others, he further requested that the necessity and legality of collecting EPIC numbers and polling station particulars from prospective beneficiaries be examined.
He urged the Governor to direct the Government to ensure that all personal information collected are utilised strictly for lawful welfare purposes and ensure that no woman is induced, coerced or misled to join any SHG.
The Planning Department has initiated a process for the implementation of the proposed scheme and directed the collection of details of women beneficiaries and Self Help Groups (SHGs) including Aadhaar number, mobile numbers (Aadhaar linked), bank account details, EPIC numbers, polling station details etc, he said and added that various Government departments have been directed to facilitate the formation of new SHGs and prepare beneficiary databases.
He also said that the Chief Minister has publicly announced that a budgetary provision of Rs 350 crore (approx) is being earmarked for the scheme.
Joy said that the scheme, however, is widely perceived not merely as a welfare measure of the State Government but also as a flagship political initiative of the ruling BJP.
Of even greater concern, he said, is the requirement for collection of EPIC numbers and polling station particulars in addition to Aadhaar details, bank account information and mobile numbers.
The collection of electoral information in relation to the scheme requires careful scrutiny to ensure that public resources are not perceived as instruments capable of influencing electoral preference or security partisan political advantage.
He added that welfare schemes funded from the public exchequer belong to all citizens irrespective of their political affiliation, voting preference or support for any political party.