Dr Ratan testifies Govt concern for Ukhrul
Visit of Ministerial team evokes warm response from public in far-flung villages
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, October 12 2012: Minister for Work and Transport Dr.Kh.

Ratankumar Singh has wound up his two-day tour of Ukhrul district after a spree of inspections and inaugurations of development programme while evoking warm response from the public in far-flung villages.

On Friday, Minister Dr.Kh.

Ratankumar Singh accompanied by two local MLAs, Victor Keishing who has been recently inducted as Parliamentary Secretary for TD, Hills & IT and MK Preshow Shimray visited Kamjong sub-divisional headquarters, a day after a rousing public reception at Chingai sub-division on Thursday.

In all his public addresses, Dr.Ratankumar testified the various developmental programme being undertaken in Ukhrul district and made a special mention of the recent induction of Victor Keishing as Parliamentary Secretary.

His testimony was interpretative of the Minister's goodwill motive to diffuse the preconceived notion that Ukhrul is being ignored by the SPF government.

"The Ibobi government has so much concern for the hill districts�(he) is well aware of the problems facing the hills," the Minister told the gathering at Ukhrul.

The Ministerial team inaugurating the District Transport Office, Ukhrul

The Minister inaugurated the newly constructed office complex of Kamjong SDO and conducted an inspection of roads being undertaken under the UPA flagship programme.

On arrival, the Ministerial entourage was given a warm welcome by school students and a public programme was organized at Kamjong town hall.

High-ranking Government officials including Principal Secretary (Works & transport) Ram Muivah, PWD Chief Engineer Lokendro Singh, Transport Director BK Sharma and few others were part of the Minister's entourage.

On Thursday, Ratankumar inaugurated the District Transport Office of Ukhrul and later attended a reception organized for the Ministerial team at Multi-Purpose Hall at Mini-secretariat.

Local MLA Samuel Risom also attended both the functions but gave a miss to the tour to Chingai and Kamjong.

In Chingai, the Ministerial team inspected the site for construction of an inclusive SDO office complex and the roads being constructed under the Prime Minister's package in Chingai sub-division.

Representatives of various villages welcomed the Ministerial team with doles of gifts and also submitted memoranda to the visiting Minister.

The function at Chingai was conspicuous by the attendance of local ADC member and executive member Wilson Shatsang, who braved the inclement weather and public boycott.

He also visited his home for the first time since winning the by-election in 2011.He was also welcomed with gifts by the public.

For local MLA MK Preshow Shimray, the visit this time was replete with emotions as it was his first return to Chingai headquarters after being elected to the Manipur State Assembly.

"This is my first visit to Chingai headquarters after being elected as legislator with prayer and support of the public," he thanked the gathering public, who received the team with songs and draped in colourful traditional attires.

On the way to Chingai, the Ministerial team was also given a public reception at Nungbi and Ngahui village.

Parliamentary Secretary Victor Keishing addressed the gathering at Chingai for which the public reception was held inside a Church as incessant rains disrupted the arrangement made at village ground.

Later in the evening, the Ministerial team was to inspect the ongoing construction of Shirui Guest House but gave a miss.

The Ministerial team halted the night at Ukhrul town and proceeded to Kamjong on Friday morning.

On the second day, the team inspected the BRTF road from Ukhrul to Kamjong to be improved at an estimated cost of Rs.8 crore.

In addition, the team also conducted a cursory inspection of the road construction work being taken up from Gamnoum to Chamu-Khayang and from Kamjong to Kongkan Thana under BADP.