Transport Dept hosts reception cum farewell party
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 08 2012: The Directorate of Transport today hosted a party where newly inducted Transport Minister Kh Ratankumar was accorded a warm reception before bidding farewell to former Transport Minister K Ranjit.

Speaking at the occasion, Transport Director BK Sharma stated that the importance of Transport Department has multiplied manifold following new initiatives to introduce helicopter service, inland water transport service, Imphal-Mandalay bus service and expansion of Imphal airport.

However, the department has been facing acute shortage of staff.

At present, there are only 151 staff in the department.

On account of the shortage of staff, the department is unable to open its cells at Moreh and Jiribam.

The Director sought attention of the Minister to recruit the required strength of staff.

Former Transport Minister K Ranjit said that he could not complete many projects and programmes because of the short period during which he was in charge of the department.

The list of incomplete works mentioned by the former Minister included expansion of Imphal airport, reversal of MSRTC's Dimapur plot to the Government of Manipur, introduction of semi-low floor buses etc.

Nevertheless, he confided that the new Minister would certainly execute all these incomplete works.

Ranjit also claimed that Transport Department could collect Rs 15 crores for the first time during his short stint as Transport Minister.

Transport Minister Kh Ratankumar stated that he would study feasibility of framing a transport policy and fill up all the posts currently lying vacant in the department.

He also pledged to look into the modalities of issuing permits which he said are being doled out without following a specific criteria.

The function was also attended by former Minister L Jayantakumar, Principal Secretary (Works) Ram Muivah, Additional Secretary (Transport) M Luikham and PWD Chief Engineer N Lokendro.

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