Govt committed to uplift of minorities: Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, October 30 2022:
Chief minister N Biren maintained that the government is committed to empowerment of the minority communities of the state and take them along to the path of development.
As chief guest of the 9th State Level Chaga Ngee Festival organised at Makuilongdi-II, Liang-Nam, Senapati district on Sunday, N Biren recounted that the cabinet granted recognition to Chaga Ngee Festival and announced the day as a restricted holiday, considering the significance of the festival.
Stressing the importance of understanding what we are, the CM said remembering the age-old relationship amongst different communities, living together and respecting one another should be accorded top priority by all the indigenous communities.
While advocating inclusion of lesson of history of the land in the education curriculum, he declared that the Heritage Park being constructed at Maknel at a cost of Rs 6 crore would be completed before this year's Sangai Festival.
In a candid remark, he noted that the Liangmai community of Manipur was deprived of access to certain benefits of government's welfare programme earlier but after the incumbent government decided to set up a Sub-Deputy Collector's Office at Makui Village some of the inconveniences would be addressed.
Stating that development is needed to maintain a peaceful and sound environment, N Biren appreciated the Zeliangrong people for electing the right representatives, who are shouldering the responsibility for development of their region.
Considering the historical importance of Makmlongdi village, he announced to install a statue of Haipou Jadonang and sanction the project within 15 days.
He also assured to construct a permanent hall, instead of the current bamboo structure, at the ground where the festival was celebrated.
The CM further lauded the people of Makuilongdi village for carrying out plantation of organic crops instead of poppy plantations and assured to despatch officials of the Horticulture Department to look for suitable crops which could be provided to the villager as alternative means of livelihood.
He also assured to construct a cold storage at the village to prevent wastage of the crop produced and added that the Government would provide a market platform for selling their produce.
Delivering his presidential speech, Water Resources minister Awangbow Newmai expressed satisfaction that the Chaga Ngee festival is celebrated in a big way.
He continued that the festival, also known as the festival of sanctification, being celebrated since time immemorial and appreciated the administration of the N Biren government for striving to strengthen the age-old relationships among different communities.
He added that various development works are being taken up across the state, thereby helping in bridging the developmental gap between the hills and the valley.
In his address, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba said Chaga Ngee festival had lost its significance with the passage of time before its revival with sustained efforts of the Liangmai community from around 2004 .
Hill Areas Committee chairman Dinganglung Gangmei, Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Senapati district, leaders of civil society organisations and students' organisations and district level officials of Senapati also attended the programme among others.
During the programme, the Chief Minister also handed over the reward of Rs 5 Lakh to Tapon Village, which was announced earlier for voluntarily destroying the poppy plantation.
Cultural dances of different cultural troupes were also showcased during the celebration.