7th State Level Orange festival concludes peacefully
ADC revived to deliver justice to people: CM
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei/Geetchandra

Tamenglong, December 12 2010: Defying bandh and boycott people in their thousands attended the main function of the Orange Festival at Tamenglong district HQ today in which Chief Minister, O Ibobi addressed the gathering.

Addressing the function as chief guest, Chief Minister referring to some sections of the people who oppose the revival of Autonomous District Council which had remained defunct for more than 20-years said that the SPF government had revived it with the objective of bringing a balanced development in the hills and the valley.

He said the Manipur (Hill Districts) District Council (Amendment) Act, 2008 can be amended according to the wishes of the people.

The Act is one of the best Acts of such kind in the Northeast.

In bringing economic development in the state there was no question of discriminating minority communities by the major community.

CM inspecting orange stalls at 7th State Level Orange Festival

Government is always against any Act or policy which would hurt the interest of the minority communities, he said.

Not even an inch of Tamenglong's land can be taken by another district, he said.

His government has also released funds for various development programmes in the remote areas of the hill districts.

Government is giving top priority to the development of infrastructures, schools, roads and healthcare sectors.

Employees of the government have been directed to be stationed at their posting places, he went on to say.

The state government has released development funds for Tamenglong district without any delay, the Chief Minister said announcing various initiatives taken up by the government for the all round development of Tamenglong district.

Government has submitted a project proposal of ' 64 crore to the North Eastern Council (NEC) for improvement of Tamenglong-Tamei road.

Approval of the NEC is awaited, he said adding that funds for improvement of Kaiphundai-Tousem sub-divisional headquarters road has been earmarked under SPA.

To shorten the Tamenglong-Imphal route, the government has decided to construct bridges at various places.

For this ' 10 crore has been earmarked and the work is targeted to be complete by 2012, CM added.

Ibobi reiterated his assurance for construction of a cold storage in Tamenglong and said that the work has been hampered due to inadequate power supply.

A total of 257 growers took part in the 7th State Level Orange Fair, the main feature of the festival.

The best orange production award comprising Rs.one lakh went to stall No.20 of Dihiamang of Chiulon, stall No.156 of Kahupou of Duiluan (Wairangba) Part II and stall No.47 of Aribou of Taipram bagged second and third best production awards consisting of cash amounts of ' 75,000 and ' 50,000 respectively.

During the brief visit, Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for the construction of a mini sport complex near the Tamenglong mini-stadium.

MPCC president, Gaikhangam, IFCD and Sports minister N Biren, Tribal Development minister DD Thaisii, MLAs O Landhoni, Khangthuanang Panmei (local MLA), vice chairman of HAC, N Awangbou and Tamenglong ADC chairman G Soihiam Haomei and members of Tamenglong ADC attended the function.

Earlier, MLA Landhoni inaugurated the Tamenglong Autonomous District Council hall at its office complex here in the morning in the presence of elected members of district councils, district level officers and officers of Tamenglong ADC.

After the inauguration, MLA Landhoni appealed to the people, particularly to women to impart good education to their children for a better future.

Loving each other, working together with full cooperation will able to bring changes in the state, she asserted.

CEO Tamenglong ADC RK Ragaisin who also spoke on the occasion recalled that the ADC was established in 1973 and started functioning in the year 1974 .

However, it had remained defunct for the last 20 years till the recent elections was held.

The hall was constructed under the office extension funds of ' 40 lakhs, he added.

Mention may be made that the Orange Festival was held amidst the bandh and boycott called by Naga Youth Front (NYF) and Zeliangrong Boudi to protest against inviting the Chief Minister, his council of ministers and MLAs.