Imphal, February 11: Staunchly defending Speaker TN Haokip in the backdrop of his name being linked to James Kuki, the prime accused in the killing of Lungnila Elizabeth, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has stated that his Govt is fully aware of the contributions and the sacrifices made by Speaker TN Haokip for maintaining stability of the Govt and integrity of Manipur.

Speaking at the function held at Saikot today in connection with the inauguration of three new blocks of Churachandpur district and laying of the foundation stones for three Water Supply Schemes as chief guest, the Chief Minister upheld the integrity of the Speaker and said that his contribution to the stability of the Government and integrity of the State is unquestionable.

The Government is also keeping development of Saikot Assembly Constituency, from which the Speaker has been elected, in its priority list, the Chief Minister said.

The three newly created blocks are Lamka, Tuibong and Saikot.

All have been segregated from Churachandpur block.

While the three water supply schemes for which the foundation stones have been laid today are Augmentation of Water Supply for Churachandpur Town from Koite and Loklao river sources (Zone-I); Upgradation of the existing treatment plant at Bungmual from Lanva river sources (Zone-I) and Augmentation of Water Supply for Churachandpur Town from Khuga Dam sources (zone-III).

All these three projects are being funded by DONER.

Admitting that developmental activities in some hill districts are lagging behind, the Chief Minister said that if it is reasonable, the Government would even take up 50 percent of the developmental works in the hill areas.

For a developed Manipur, both the hills and the valley have to be at par in terms of development, the Chief Minister observed.

However, he noted that development of all the requisite infrastructures in the three newly created blocks would take some time because of the lean financial phase the State is currently passing through.

Nonetheless, the Chief Minister went on to highlight other development works being planned by the Government for Churachandpur district and said that the Government is setting a target of commissioning the three water supply schemes, the foundation stones of which have been laid today, by 2005-06 with special stress on providing adequate drinking water to the people of the district.

To solve the problems of power shortage being encountered by the people, the Chief Minister gave the assurance of setting up 33/11 KV Power Sub-Stations on each at Hanglep, Thanlon, Singhat and Tipaimukh sub-divisions of CCpur district by 20404-05 as well as for providing solar lamps to 5823 households in the district.

Similar facilities would also be extended to 1110 households in Ukhrul, 658 households in Tamenglong, 200 households in Senapati and 161 households in Chandel district, he added.

On medi-care front, the Chief Minister said that a sum of Rs 40 lakhs have been earmarked for improving medicare facilities in the district over and above upgradation of CCpur District Hospital to a 100-bedded one.

Reiterating that the developmental activities have been hampered due to the prevailing fluid law and order condition, the Chief Minister appealed to the villager elders in advising the underground activists to give up arms and join the mainstream.

Informing that the State Government is considering legislation on use of agricultural lands in the State, the Chief Minister also appealed to the people of the district not to build their houses on agricultural lands.

The Chief Minister also donated Rs 10,000 each to five cultural organizations which presented cultural dances from his discretionary fund.

In his presidential address, Speaker TN Haokip said that the visit of the Chief Minister to look into the problems of the people is not the first and will not be the last as well.