Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 19:
'It would be in the fitness of thing for every man in the State to start wearing phaneks if the people of the State cannot give the required premium amounting to about Rs 40 lakhs for the 800 sqm land allotted by the Delhi Development Authority following persistent request by Dharma Rakshak Samiti, Manipur for construction of a dharmashala cum cultural centre near Delhi University and let this golden opportunity slip out of hands'.
Assembly Speaker TN Haokip stated this while speaking at the special general body meeting of the Dharma Rakshak Samiti, Manipur at Manipur Hindi Parishad here today.
Haokip who was the chief guest of the function asserted that the said premium amount is not huge, and suggested the Samiti that it could be worked out easily if it requested the Chief Minister to put the amount under the revised estimate of the State Budget and repay afterwards.
He further suggested that a construction committee should be formed with the Governor as chairman and Chief Minister and other Ministers and MLAs as members to win the confidence of the people.
Once the people are convinced of the importance of the centre there would be no dearth of fund and other needs.
Inclusion of noted personalities of the State like Ratan Thiyam in the proposed committee would also be helpful, Haokip said, expressing confidence that Thiyam would welcome such an offer.
He said the news about the construction of the dharmashala was the most exhilarating one he heard this year.
In his presidential speech, Deputy Speaker L Lala stated that the proposed Dharmashala is meant for the all the people of Manipur and everyone including the Ministers, MLAs, officials should contribute their mite towards this dream.