GK Pillai's promise makes village chief a TATA truck owner
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 19 2011:
Five months after the then Union Home Secretary GK Pillai promised assistance in New Delhi, a villager from Tamenglong district Athanbou Pamei today received a brand new TATA 4x4 truck worth over eight lakh rupees.
It all started when 53-year old Athanbou Pamei of L Pabram village in Tamenglong district visited Delhi at the invitation of Friendship Forum of India.
He was conferred the award of best "personality" and "great Indian citizen" by Friendship Forum of India at a lavish function in Delhi on February 13.The award carried a gold medal, a citation and a plate.
During the visit the then Union Home Secretary GK Pillai reportedly promised Athanbou a tarmac road on the 15-km inter village road (IVR) between Tamenglong district headquarters and L Pabram village along with other assistance the TATA 404 truck being one.
Although the vehicle arrived at TATA Motors Ltd in MG Avenue in Imphal only today, the key was formally handed over by Joint Secretary of Northeast in the Ministry of Home Affairs Sambhu Singh who visited the state a couple of days ago.
The TATA 404 truck has been given reportedly as assistance to Athanbou for his private use.
Meanwhile, an IVR road that connects L Pambram village to Barak bridge point has been surveyed thrice over.
The road will be funded by BRGF under DRDA and implemented by the state government, said a jubilant Kikhon Pamei, son of Athanbou.
The actual works on the road has been held up by the ongoing monsoon, he added.
While the road is set to be funded by the central government, 11 AR led by CO, PS Chhongkar have been instrumental in clearing a rocky portion with the use of explosives, bulldozers and manpower, said Kikhon and expressed appreciation for the assistance.