16th State Level Orange Festival opened ; GI tag for Tamenglong orange soon : CM
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, December 16 2019: Chief Minister N Biren Singh opened the 16th State Level Orange Festival cum Centenary Celebration of Tamenglong District Administration amidst a mesmerizing display of dance and music in the presence of a huge enthusiastic crowd at Public Ground, Tamenglong district headquarters today.

Speaking at the occasion as the chief guest, N Biren Singh announced that separate funds would be earmarked in the State Budget for festivals related to fruits and would increase the consolation incentive prizes for participating orange growers of Orange Festival from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 from next year.

16th State Level Orange Festival opened

Stating that horticulture products of the State have a unique taste, Biren said that Tamenglong Orange would receive Geographical Indication (GI) tagging certificate very soon.

Manipur has immense potential in tourism and horticulture sectors, the Chief Minister said and added that the State should focus on these sectors to bring economic development.

Maintaining that the present State Government had been able to make significant developmental changes in the past two years and a half, the Chief Minister said that hill-valley bonding had been strengthened apart from bringing improvement in law and order situation.

He said that there has been no economic blockade on the National Highways ever since the current Government came to power.

The Chief Minister also said that one can see opening of shops till late night in Imphal now.

Regarding developmental projects in Tamenglong district, the Chief Minister said that projects like widening of Khongshang-Tamenglong road, construction of FCI godown and water supply scheme at Duithanglong are going on in full swing.

Apart from these, he added, the State Government would upgrade the present women's market by allocating more funds.

The Chief Minister also assured to revamp the inter-village roads located around Tamenglong district headquarters soon.

Regarding Indo-Naga peace talks, the Chief Minister said that he would extend full cooperation in bringing an amicable and honourable solution to the decades-long vexed issue.

Speaking at the occasion, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Th Shyamkumar said that Tamenglong is known to the world for its oranges having a unique taste and Amur Falcon migratory birds.

He said that the State Government would make all-out efforts to hold a special festival for Amur Falcon and Hornbill.

Observing that killing of birds creates ecological imbalance, the Minister also expressed keen desire to ban use of air guns in the State.

In his speech, Public Health Engineering Minister L Dikho said that Government's efforts to bring positive developmental changes would not be successful until and unless people extend cooperation to the Government.

He urged the people of Tamenglong district specially youths to work hard so that God's gift of orange may be translated into economic prosperity.

MLAs Awangbow Newmai, Samuel Jendai, ADC Tamenglong Chairman Namsinrei Pamei, Secretary to Chief Minister Ningthoujam Geoffrey and Tamenglong DC Armstrong Pame were also seated on the dais as dignitaries among others.

Choir presentation performed by around 1000 members selected from 28 different Churches of the district was the special attraction of the day among different mesmerizing cultural items presented on the opening day.

Around 370 growers participated in this year's festival.

Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 75,000/- were awarded to first, second and third prize winners of the orange competition.

Moreover, Rs 10,000 each were also given to all the participating orange growers.

Orange Queen Contest, Orange Eating Competition, Tamenglong's Got Talent, rock concert and choir competition are the major highlights of this year's State Level Orange Festival which will conclude on December 18 with Lok Sabha MP (Outer) Dr Lorho Pfoze as the chief guest.

The festival is organized by District Administration, Tamenglong under the sponsorship of North Eastern Council and Government of Manipur.

Later, the Chief Minister also inspected the ongoing construction work of Duithanglong Dam before he left Tamenglong.