Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 13:
"It is the SPF Government under the leadership of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh that has been able to bring about financial discipline and maintain political discipline in the State which was earlier marred by political instability due to politicking among MLAs and Ministers for power," Information Minister TN Haokip has stated.
On the other hand, a source close to the CM's camp today informed The Sangai Express that TD Minister DD Thaisii, who the rebel MLAs claimed was with them, returned to Imphal today and met the Chief Minister at 6.30 pm.
Elaborating, the source said that Thaisii explained that he had gone to Delhi for some personal matter and was not part of the rebel camp.
On the other hand, Thaisii informed the Chief Minister that he would attend to his duty immediately.
The source further said that the claim of the rebel MLAs that Phungzathang Tonsing had joined them was without foundation.
Tonsing who returned to Imphal today has already made it clear that he had gone to Delhi as his wife was ill, added the source.
In a statement, the Information Minister said that in the past, people of Manipur suffered a lot as there was no stable Government in the State due to constant politicking among the MLAs and Minister for power.
Apart from not being able to pay the monthly salary of the Government employees on time, failure of providing the developmental fund for the hills and remote villages seem to have created a dividing line between the hill and the valley people.
However, in the last five years after the SPF Government led by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh came to power, all these problems have been solved and the State is heading towards the path of progress, the Information Minister said.
Most significantly, the SPF Government has fulfilled one of the cherished dreams of the people by handing over sacred Kangla to them after removing Assam Rifles from it.
Moreover, with the combined efforts of the people, the Government has lifted imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from seven Assembly segments of Imphal in the interest of the people, the Information Minister said, adding that Meetei Mayek has also been introduced from Primary to Class III standard, thus fulfilling one of the long standing demands of the people.
The problem of connectivity with other parts of the country only through NH-39 has also been solved after improvement and opening up of NH-53 to traffic even as efforts are on for extending Railway line from Jiri to Imphal.
Along with paying special attention to the development of road and communication in the hills, major steps have been initiated to bring the hill and valley people closer to each other.
Side by side, school buildings, hospitals and block offices which did not have the required infrastructures are now being developed.
In the field of sports too, works have already been started for construction of mini sports complex in every district.
On other achievements of SPF Govt, the Information Minister said construction of the world famous and historic Ima Keithel which could not take off for a long time is in full swing today.
The construction work on the much awaited Capital project too is progressing.
It is also hoped that various projects that could not be completed would be able to commissioned one after another within a time frame.
To resolve the problem of insurgency in the State through political solution, the SPF Govt has prepared a road map along with taking up necessary measures in this regard, the Information Minister said, adding that all these have been made possible due to co-operation of the people to the SPF Government.
The trust of the people reposed on the SPF Govt led by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh by electing it to power for the second term in the interest of protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur would not be belied, the Information Minister said, adding that the SPF Govt firmly believes that development of Manipur on par with other States can be possible only when there is a stable Govt in the State.