An RTI reply furnished by the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur, Pooja Elangbam, has revealed that more than ₹25,70,93,118 has been spent on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the 27-Moirang Assembly Constituency since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023. The expenditure covers direct financial assistance, purchase of essential goods, and extensive construction and repair works across relief camps.
According to the reply, twenty relief camps were set up in Moirang AC in the immediate aftermath of the violence. Out of these, six have been closed while fourteen camps remain functional. At the onset of the clashes, 3,905 IDPs were sheltered in the camps. Presently, as per records, there are 4,542 IDPs living in these facilities. Notably, the records confirm that there has been no resettlement or relocation of displaced persons till date.
The data shows that ₹2,05,73,000 has been disbursed directly to IDPs in the form of One-Time Assistance (OTA). Each displaced person was paid ₹500 in the first instalment, another ₹500 in the remaining instalment, and ₹1,000 each in the second, third, fourth and fifth instalments. The funds were distributed through Camp Nodal Officers and Camp Level Committees.
In addition to cash assistance, a massive expenditure of ₹23,21,95,480 was incurred on the purchase of essential items and services for IDPs. The highest expenditure in this category was ₹7,14,89,609 for consumables including soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, spices, fermented fish, firewood, vegetables and refilling of cooking gas. Another ₹5,63,32,941 was spent on rice, ₹2,11,18,200 on dal, and ₹2,81,56,640 on cooking oil. The administration also spent ₹35,19,580 on salt, ₹23,00,000 on fish, and ₹2,10,00,000 on banana, biscuit, egg and Maggie noodles etc.
Relief camps were further equipped with a wide range of goods for day-to-day living. ₹53,40,000 was spent on mattresses, ₹8,20,000 on bedsheets, ₹11,20,000 on pillows, and ₹2,10,000 on pillow covers. To ensure bedding and warmth, ₹6,00,000 was sanctioned for thin blankets and another ₹30,00,000 for thick blankets, while ₹14,75,000 was used to buy mosquito nets. Jumbo storage boxes worth ₹21,00,000, thermo flasks worth ₹14,70,000 and buckets worth ₹1,50,000 were also supplied. Kitchen and household items were included, with ₹3,06,000 spent on ceiling fans, ₹79,500 on wall fans, ₹1,72,500 on dish sets, ₹67,500 on glasses, and ₹1,26,000 on water storage tanks. Additional expenditures were ₹52,250 for dustbins, ₹36,000 for water filters, and ₹11,00,000 for a television and DTH set for the camps. To support education and training, ₹6,28,828 was used for skill development programmes and equipment, while ₹3,93,500 was sanctioned for educational expenses. Assistance was also extended to cover medical and funeral expenses of IDPs with an amount of ₹29,42,407, and ₹42,24,900 was spent on hiring vehicles for transportation of IDPs and students to schools. Domestic LPG connections cost ₹10,60,010, while ₹5,36,915 was spent on electrical goods and electrification.
Apart from consumables and supplies, another Rs 43,24,638 was allocated towards construction and repair works at various relief camps. The works ranged from construction of toilets at Kwatka Khuman, Santhong Awang, Sribon Mandop, Khoyol Keithel, Mukta High School, Phubala, Moirang College and Terakhongsangbi relief camps to larger infrastructure renovations. Significant works included the renovation and repair of Moirang College Blocks A and B for relief camp purposes costing ₹6,16,850, and the construction, renovation and partition of Moirang College Indoor Stadium, reconstruction of compound fencing of Kwakta pre-fab house,Swimming Pool, Gym Hall and Science Block, which together amounted to several lakhs of rupees including ₹2,46,950, ₹5,27,000 and ₹4,55,150 for different sections. The partitioning of Moirang College Gym Hall for IDPs was carried out in two phases at ₹2,50,000 and ₹2,15,900 respectively.
Community halls were also expanded and renovated. At Santhong Awang Community Hall, works included expansion at ₹50,000, purchase of materials for repairs at ₹10,000, construction of temporary toilets at ₹40,000, and larger extension works at ₹8,03,104. Repairing and renovation were also done at Thangjing Sindam Shang relief camp with ₹15,000 spent on ground levelling and ₹6,000 on general repairs. For Terakhongsangbi relief camp, ₹26,500 was spent on CGI sheets and repairs, while ₹26,000 was sanctioned for toilets. Other works included repairing four toilets at Moirang College for ₹20,000, construction of a TV room at Ibudhou Thangjing House camp for ₹15,000, construction of flying shuttle loom work shed at Moirang College Block-B for ₹1,10,646, and singling in and around Pre fabricated house, Kwakta works amounting to ₹1,99,000.
The Deputy Commissioner clarified in the RTI reply that no private contractors or outside implementing agencies were involved in these works. All construction and repairing activities were executed by Camp Nodal Officers and Camp Level Committees to ensure direct implementation.
The reply highlights the substantial mobilisation of funds for relief measures in Moirang AC, though it also notes that despite these large-scale expenditures, no IDPs have yet been resettled or relocated since the violence began.
Source: ichelnewsnetwork.com