COVID-19 Affected Livelihood Support Scheme launched
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 22 2021: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has stated that the State Government has been working to uplift the poor and weaker sections of the State.

He made the statement during a launching programme of Chief Minister's COVID-19 Affected Livelihood Support Scheme at the Chief Minister's Secretariat today.

The programme was organized by the Social Welfare Department.

The Chief Minister informed that an officer of the Social Welfare Department would be stationed at Manipur State Co-operative Bank (MSCB) Ltd, at Old Assembly Road to provide loans to people who want to start a small business without any guarantor.

N Biren further stated that the Chief Minister's COVID-19 Affected Livelihood Support Scheme was introduced to aid those who are severely affected by the pandemic.

Saying that the applications for the scheme were invited through proper survey at the district level, he added that a total of 22,336 applications have been received so far including 13,651 from street vendors; 4,890 from transport drivers; 3,680 from van drivers and 145 artists.

COVID-19 Affected Livelihood Support Scheme launched

Out of the applications received, 7,943 had been verified and of this first instalment of Rs 2,500 would be distributed to 6,276 applicants today while the second instalment would be disbursed within September, he added.

He appealed to the public to abstain from preparing forged documents to get the benefit while applying for any schemes or scholarships so that the benefit could reach the intended beneficiaries.

The CM informed that the Government has invested more than Rs 2,000 crore in hill areas so far under Minorities and Other Backward Classes (MOBC) Department for the development of the hill districts.

Stating that the role of sincere and dedicated leaders is very necessary, he appealed to the public to elect leaders who can work for the well being of the masses.

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Minister expressed belief that the pandemic might be a consequence of human activities that had destroyed the balance of nature for the last many years.

He then appealed to the people to preserve nature by planting more trees.

N Biren also appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being a dynamic leader and supplying free rations to the people.

He also appreciated the Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, officials of different departments, medical staff, Civil Society Organizations for their efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus.

He informed that around 6,000 applicants had been identified for Start Up Scheme, which was put on hold for some period due to the pandemic and added that the loan amount under the scheme would also be disbursed very soon.

The CM also informed that Meeyamgi Numit and Hill Leaders' Day would be revived soon.

Education Minister Sorokhaibam Rajen, while delivering his speech, maintained that the State had shown improvement in many sectors including in law and order, education, health infrastructure, water supply etc.

Mentioning the initiatives taken up by the Chief Minister in controlling the pandemic and welfare measures taken up to ease the hardship of the people, he stated that people should acknowledge the good work done by the Chief Minister.

During the function, financial assistance under Chief Minister's COVID-19 Affected Livelihood Support Scheme was distributed to some beneficiaries from different districts.

Water Resources Minister Letpao Haokip, Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister Vungzagin Valte, Agriculture Minister Oinam Lukhoi, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Secretary to Chief Minister, Administrative Secretaries, Deputy Commissioners, senior Government Officials and beneficiaries of the scheme attended the programme among others.