Fund utilisation still the call at 38 years
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 21 2010: Revenue and Forest and Environment Minister Th Debendra has called upon all to fully utilise funds sanctioned for development projects and welfare schemes in Manipur.

Speaking as chief guest at the 38th Statehood Day observed at 1st Bn MR parade ground here today, Debendra said that financial woes of the State have been largely addressed since the 12th Finance Commission.

Moreover, the State has been receiving large amount of fund under Special Plan Assistance, Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources etc.

Lamenting that these funds sanctioned for different development projects could not be utilised decently, Debendra said that celebrating Statehood Day would have no meaning if a significant level of growth cannot be achieved in the field of modern infrastructure, human resource, information science and technology etc by 2020 .

Health Minister Ph Parijat addresses the Statehood day function

He further called upon all to utilise development funds properly and fully under a peaceful and secure atmosphere.

Even as many States of India were granted statehood in 1947 itself , when India got independence, Manipur was granted Statehood much later in 1972 .

This meant that other States have marched ahead of Manipur by more than 33 years.

Even after becoming a full-fledged State, Manipur faced financial crisis for many years.

It was only after the 12th Finance Commission that Manipur was able to overcome the financial woes.

Nonetheless, by virtue of the human resource, arts and cultural talents and sporting skills possessed by the Manipuris, coupled with the fertile soil and favourable climatic condition, Manipur is ahead of other advanced States in certain sectors, Th Debendra said.

Prayers and hymns of different religious faiths like Hinduism, Sanamahism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism and Budhism were also presented during the Statehood Day celebration.

In his presidential speech, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ph Parijat recalled that Manipur was not given Statehood and the capacity to frame its own laws simply was just not there.

There were massive civil movements demanding Statehood in the course of which many people were imprisoned.

Manipur was granted Statehood as a result of these strong movements in 1972.Since then Manipur has made significant strides in the field of education, agriculture and transport.

Now, elected representatives of the State can exercise their power fully, Parijat said.

Noting that one major problem of the State is insurgency, he called upon all concerned to give up the mental disposition of violence and killing man by man.

He further exhorted the people to live together in peace and harmony.

Although the Statehood Day celebration was also attended by Education Minister L Jayantakumar, IPR Minister TN Haokip, DGP Y Joykumar and top Government officials, attendance of general public was discouraging.