Conserving Siroy water sources tops Centre's agenda
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 12 2011: With conservation of Siroy water sources topping the list of priorities, a list of recommendations, made following the development seminar held in October last year under the joint sponsorship of the Ministry of Home Affairs and DoNER Ministry, has been sent to the State Government.

In addition to conserving water sources available at Siroy Hills, the Ministry also strongly recommended necessary steps to harvest and conserve rain water in Ukhrul district, informed an official source.

Among others, the development seminar was also attended by Union Home Secretary GK Pillai and DoNER Secretary Jayanti Chandra.

The recommendations include a whole array of programme that may be taken up by the Central and State Govts encompassing diverse sectors such as banking network, telecommunication network, road infrastructure, power, health care, education, drinking water, agriculture, tourism, social welfare and commerce and industries.

The seminar recommended that protection and conservation of water sources found at Siroy Hills is a must, in view of the scarcity of water in Ukhrul district headquarters and other places.

Siroy hills where the source of the water is found and the Lily

Even though annual rate of precipitation is high in Ukhrul district, very little rain water can be retained due to the topography.

In line with the seminar's recommendation, the State Forest Department would take up a project for conservation of water sources.

In connection with harvesting rain water in Ukhrul district, relevant authorities like PHED, DoNER and NEC would be organising seminars cum awareness campaigns in the district.

Along with the recommendation for opening two SBI branches at Somsai and Kamjong, two SBI booths would also be installed in Ukhrul district.

Moreover, BSNL would be launching 3G service in Ukhrul very soon.

The seminar also recommended upgrading Ukhrul-Yaingangpokpi-Jessami section of NH 150 to a double-lane highway.

In addition, it also recommended several other road infrastructure development works and these works would be taken up by BRO and the State PWD.

The Power Department has been instructed to set a target of completing installation of 33/11 KV power sub-stations at Hundung, Jessami, Phungyar and Kasom Khullen within the current year or the next year at the latest.

The seminar recommended that power consumers of the district may be charged only the flat power taxes rather than charging them accumulated taxes calculated with compound interest.

Soon after completing installation of the mini hydro project of 25 KW capacity which is under way at Chadong, MANIREDA would be instructed to build take up a wind project of 15 MW at Phangrei in addition to a river mini hydro project at Khamasom as per the recommendations of the seminar.

Ambulance suitable to the terrain of Ukhrul district would provided under National Rural Health Mission within March this year.

Moreover, one GNM school would be set up at Ukhrul.

Taking due note of the presence of only two regular Principals as against 29 Government High Schools located in Ukhrul district, the seminar recommended that the School Education Department may fill up the vacant posts of regular Principals based on seniority of teachers.

It further recommended development of all infrastructure of Pettigrew College on priority basis.

Development of a new court complex at Ukhrul by 2012 after due consultation with the State Law Department and High Court was another recommendation of the seminar.

It also included a proposal of bringing Ukhrul within the ambit of Backward Region Grant Fund.

The State Government, MHA and DoNER should work together to find markets for black pottery products which are available only in Ukhrul district, it further recommended.

The State Government and DoNER would jointly monitor implementation of these recommendations, added the source.