Ukhrul body rues spat over fuel price, backs CM
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, June 19 2021:
A northern Ukhrul organisation has called for sanity in the recent political bickering over the hike in petrol price, while describing the situation as a fall out of economic collapse due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
In a press communique issued on Saturday, Yang Raphei Conference (YRC) termed the recent media war between the ruling government and opposition party over CM N Biren's alleged misstatement as unfortunate.
"It's sad that this happened even when the state has been reeling under difficult times due to global pandemic which has claimed many lives," said YRC's president Haorei Shimreishang, adding that it was time for all stakeholders to shed their differences and come together in fighting the dreaded disease.
He said that mudslinging among the political leaders at the current painful moment was not a healthy development which could even hamper the job of health workers and experts in containing the grim situation.
Jibing Manipur Congress Committee President Govindas Konthoujam over his allegations against the CM, Shimreishang said that accusing him (CM) of looting the pockets of the poor on account of petrol price rice in the state was very immature.
"It's undermining his own position as a legislature," he said.
Maintaining that Govindas himself is very much part of the government as a legislature, Shimreishang questioned the motive behind the allegations.
"The entire nation is in great depression due to collapse of economy on account of the pandemic.
Natural calamities are beyond human control.
At this juncture, millions of citizens are in panic and dying due to the disease.
It has caused so much hardships to all citizens over availing essential commodities," he said.
He continued that the ruling government under the leadership of CM Biren, in spite of all odds, is all geared up to control the deteriorating pandemic situation in the state.
Shimreishang then appealed to the leaders in the opposition bench to equally contribute their wisdom and constructive suggestions in the larger interest of the common people, while urging the ruling government to continue working with sincerity and commitment for the safety of its citizens.
"In fact, a tiny trouble state like Manipur is trying to overcome all hurdles through visionary policies of the chief minister and maximum cooperation is being extended from different quarters to restore a normal life," he said.
He contended that the rising price of petroleum products or any other products is not a new thing and is not in the hands of the state government.
Lauding the Biren-led government for free distribution of ration, free vaccinations, MGNREGS, availing PM Kisan fund, PM and CM health cards etc., he said that the same are aimed at easing the burdens of the poor people.
"It is your duty to see if all these facilities are enjoyed by the people in your assembly constituency," he said and asked the opposition leader to refrain from criticizing a government of which he is a legislature.