CM assured Centre's support for projects
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 04 2011: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today held a meeting with Chief Minister of Manipur O Ibobi Singh and other senior Central Ministers and officials at New Delhi to review progress and resolve pending issues relating to some critical projects being undertaken in Manipur.

According to a statement issued by the Resident Commissioner of Manipur Bhavan, New Delhi, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh was accompanied by the Chief Secretary and Special Secretary (Planning), Government of Manipur during the meeting which lasted for over an hour.

After a detailed discussion, it was agreed that JN Institute of Medical Sciences should be supported for completion within 2014-15 .

Accordingly, pending approval to the revised Detailed Project Report/DPR (of Rs 867 crores), the Planning Commission agreed to release SPA funds allocated (Rs 132 crores) for this project.

The approval to the revised DPR will have to be expedited.

During the meeting, the State Government was also advised to submit the revised DPR for the Capital Project.

Appreciating the progress made in respect of the State Assembly and High Court complexes, the Planning Commission also agreed to consider favourably the revised DPR estimated at Rs 841.83 crores.

Chief Minister O Ibobi expressed concern over slow pace of implementation of the railway line project from Jiribam-Tupul-India.

Noting that the target date for completion of the railway line upto Tupul has already been deferred to 2012, the Chief Minister urged the Railways to induct additional manpower and equipment and ensure that there will be no further slippages.

On the suggestion of the Member (Engg) of Railway Board, the BRO was advised to strengthen all weak bridges on NH-53 by December 2011, so that the Railways can bring in all the heavy equipment required for the tunnelling work.

The Railways also agreed to supplement equipment and manpower and assured that the Railway line upto Tupul will be completed by 2014, and upto Imphal by 2016 .

At the reiteration of Ibobi Singh on the importance of expediting upgradation of NH-53, the second lifeline of Manipur, Union Defence Minister AK Anthony, on behalf of the BRO, assured that the ongoing work for double-laning and black-topping of NH-53 would be completed by 2013 .

It was also decided that the Ministry of Defence will advise the BRO to outsource critical portions of NH-53 to some reputed engineering companies for expediting completion and ensuring quality work.

The Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways to clear pending DPRs submitted by BRO in the coming week, and also develop a new proposal for converting NH-53 to a world class road, befitting a road leading to International borders.

The State Government's proposal to have an alternative alignment of NH-39 to by-pass sinking areas and link Manipur to Assam through Peren, Nagaland has also been appreciated.

The Secretary of Ministry of Road Transports and Highways informed that both the proposals are proposed to be included in Phase-A of Special Accelerated Road Development Programme, and the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure is being obtained.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister advised the Ministry to bring the two issues to the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure within this month for approval.

As regard the proposal to seek JICA assistance for augmentation of water supply for Imphal city, by drawing water from the Thoubal Multi-purpose project, the Planning Commission reported that it has given in-principle approval to the project (estimated at Rs 687 crores), for funding as an Externally Aided Project.

It was further agreed that besides posing it to JICA, Planning Commission will also consider funding of the project through plan financing.

The State Government's proposal seeking support of the Ministry of Human Resource Development for establishing Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) in all 9 districts has also been considered favourably.

The Minister of Human Resource Development agreed to bring up a note for consideration and approval of the Central Cabinet to relax existing guidelines and assist Manipur to set up additional KGBVs.

The Minister informed that the Ministry has already approved setting up of four additional KGBVs (residential schools for poor and vulnerable girls) in educationally backward blocks of the State, taking the total to five KGBVs.

Similarly, the Ministry assured that it would bring up another note for the Union Cabinet to approve setting up of new Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas at Ukhrul and Kangpokpi.

The Minister of DoNER, who was also present at the meeting agreed to expedite approval to NLCPR support for construction of 300 school buildings in the five hill districts at an estimated cost of Rs 137.77 crores.

On the other hand, with regard to the request of the State Government for release of Special Advance Plan Assistance of Rs 300 crores, the Chief Minister called on the Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee separately.

After a brief discussion, it was agreed that issue of cash reserve would be cross-checked and State Finance Department would separately meet the Secretary (Expenditure) to work out the details.

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