Dialogue hand extended on Statehood day
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, January 21 2017:
The 45th Manipur Statehood Day was celebrated across the State today.
Speaking at the State-level function held at the Conference Hall of Old Secretariat, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said, "We are proud to be responsible citizens of this country.
Although the State has limited resources and is under financial crunch, the pace of development is continuing to pick up.
Even though Manipur is one of the troubled States, it leads other States in health and power sector" .
The Chief Minister said other sectors need to be developed so as to make Manipur a developed State.
Providing employment to educated unemployed youth should be the priority.
"To resolve the armed movement, the State Government is open for a political dialogue with the UG groups," O Ibobi said.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, while addressing the gathering, recalled the day when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi announced the upgradation of Manipur to a full-fledged State.
"There have been remarkable changes in the State during the last 45 years.
In order to attain the status of a developed State by 2020, all the stakeholders should co-operate with one another and work collectively," he said.
Claiming insurgency as one of the major hurdles to development, Gaikhangam also appealed to the UG groups to come to a political dialogue with the Government.
Chief Secretary O Nabakishore Singh, DGP LM Khaute and other senior Government officials were also present at the function.