CM bats for egalitarian developmental
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 28 2012: Noting discord in certain section of the society over apparent lack of developmental initiatives, Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh has mooted that constituting an independent panel under the chairmanship of a retired justice to oversee implementation of development projects might be able to solve some of the problems.

Speaking at the 127th foundation day celebration of Indian National Congress at Congress Bhavan, BT road today, the CM expressed that by ensuring welfare scheme benefits to every section of the society with special emphasis on communities belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBC and minorities, unity and emotional integrity could be promoted in the State.

For coverage of all these communities with various welfare programmes and ensure judicious implementation of developmental projects setting up an independent body with a retired justice as the chairman and having representatives of all the communities as committee members might be able to instill confidence upon all the communities, Ibobi reiterated.

Chief Minister, Dy Chief Minister and others at the function

Exuding confidence that the independent body after minute assessment and monitoring developmental requirements will facilitate the Government to focus on specific areas, he stated that such a move would ensure that no community are deprived of development projects.

While conveying that constitution of the independent body would be proposed in the next budget session of assembly, Ibobi said Congress party workers should be fully aware of what the general public expects from the Government as the Congress party are indebted to the people for their continuous support inspite of threat and intimidation to them from certain groups.

Opining that present day generation might be unaware of people-friendly policies worked out and implemented by Congress leaders in the past many decades, he affirmed that with the exception of Congress no other political organisations could ensure a vibrant country.

The CM also called upon the party workers to continuously strive for development of all sections of the society.

In his address to the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who is also the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president, expressed that Congress candidates bagging 42 out of the total of 60 seats in the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly election is a testimony of the people's faith and confidence on the Congress party.

Attributing success of the Congress party in the assembly election to hard work and dedication of party workers inspite of facing threats from insurgent groups, he stated that the party workers deserved to be honoured for their commitment to the organisation.

Pledging Congress Government's commitment to ensure socio-economic development of economically weaker section of the society and exuding confidence that the secular political organisation would gain further strength, Gaikhangam also prevailed upon every section of the society to contribute their mite in making Manipur a prosperous State.

As a native of Manipur it is an obligation to idealise and work for the betterment of the State rather than comment in the interest of other States, said the Deputy CM while suggesting that family elders should imbibe sense of belongingness to the native State to their children.

Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing, who also spoke at the occasion, strongly emphasised on the need for peaceful co-existence of all the communities in Manipur.

Pointing out that one should possess quality to have goodwill for others, the former CM said that parochial political attitude do not bode well for the State.

Over 150 Congress party workers who suffered injuries in insurgent attacks during the run-up to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly election were also honoured at the occasion.