Ibobi furious over 'communal remark'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 26 2013: Furious over NPF MLA Samuel Risom's repeated charges against State government of being "communal and biased" in taking up development works in hill areas, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi went on to recite all development works taken up in the hills for nearly half an hour in the State Legislative Assembly today.

MLA Samuel Risom raised a policy cut motion to the demand for Information and Technology.

He asserted that the IT Centres in all hill district headquarters have failed and the State government is not concerned with the development of hill areas.

Clarifying to Samuel Risom, Chief Minister Ibobi said that Samuel has repeatedly charged the State government of being communal and biased in taking up development works in hills.

He asked the NPF MLA to note down all development works and programmes that have been implemented in hill areas.

Ibobi further maintained that the people are aware whether the government is communal or not.

The longest serving Chief Minister of the State Rishang Keishing is from the hills and Yangmaso Shaiza was also the Chief Minister.

Moreover, Alimuddin was the Chief Minister from the minority communities, he added.

"There is no question of communalism in the State.

People have been living in peace and harmony for thousands of years.

Honourable MLA should know the fact", Chief Minister contended.

He further said that 80 percent of the State budget has been earmarked for development and top priority is given to the hills.

Further raising a policy cut motion to the demand for transport and works, MLA Risom said that the transport offices in hills have failed and the government has taken no initiative to improve road connectivity in hill areas.

Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar clarified to Samuel Risom with every detail of works implemented regarding road connectivity in the hills.

Ratankumar further said that there is no failure of transport offices in the hills.

MLA Samuel Risom remained silent after listening to the clarifications of both Chief Minister and Works Minister regarding development works in hill areas.

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