Govt fully prepared to tackle Covid third wave: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, September 01 2021: Asserting that healthcare infrastructure has seen significant progress in the recent past, chief minister N Biren declared that the government is fully prepared even if the third wave of COVID-19 hits the state.

CM Biren, who inaugurated the southern pavilion of Luwangpokpa Multi Sports Complex, Luwangsangbam in Imphal East district on Wednesday, said that the state now has enough oxygen plants, hospital beds, manpower and equipment.

He further said that the 200-bedded COVID hospital developed by DRDO is ready for inauguration.

He also announced that Rs 20 lakh would be rewarded to Jiribam for becoming the first district which has achieved 100 per cent vaccination.

Regarding distribution of fertilizer, the Chief Minister assured that all the eligible farmers would definitely get fertilizer soon.

As distribution is done through the laid down rules under official procedures, it is not possible to make it available to all the farmers at one go, he said while adding that every eligible farmer would get their share soon.

Earlier in the day the chief minister also inaugurated two bridges constructed over the Imphal River at Lairikyengbam Leikai-Heikrumakhong and Keisham Mapa-Kairang in Heingang AC under the PMGSY scheme.

Construction of both the bridges began in March 2019.On the other hand, the southern pavilion of Luwangpokpa Multi-sports Complex was constructed with NLCPR funds of the DoNER Ministry (NLCPR) with the State Water Resources Department as the implementing agency.

Works minister Th Biswajit, YAS minister Letpao Haokip, Education Minister S Rajen, Agriculture Minister O Lukhoi, CAF and PD Minister Th Satyabrata, Deputy Speaker K Robindro, Manipur Buildings and Other Construction Workers' Board Chairman H Dingo, advisor to CM (Health) Dr S Ranjan, Imphal East Adhyaksha P Bimola, Manipur Development Society chairman M Asnikumar and chief minister's better-half N Hiyainu also attended the Luwangsangbam event organised by the State Youth Affairs and Sports Department.

Addressing the gathering, CM Biren said that the multi-sports complex could become a reality as the elders of the locality reserved enough land for it with a farsighted vision.

He added that there is still enough space for further expansion and development of the complex.

Remembering the early tough days towards developing the complex, the Chief Minister said that development of the complex began with just Rs 1.40 crore.

While mentioning about development of various sports infrastructure in the past four and half years by the present government, he stressed the need for prioritising sports disciplines which are suitable to the physique of Manipuris and creating suitable posts to properly look after and maintain stadiums located at different parts of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Th Biswajit noted that the younger generation inherited sports culture from the visionary forefathers, who preserved local grounds.

"Today, we are able to dedicate this large playground to our youth due to the vision of our forefathers who preserved the ground", he continued.

Minister Biswajit also said, "We should not only celebrate our Independence Day, but also commemorate it and as such we are celebrating, the 75th year of Independence as Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav".

Informing that the Mahotsav is a country-wide campaign which needs to be converted into a Jan Andolan or mass movement, he expressed such small changes in the local level can contribute in bringing a significant national gain.

Highlighting that the biggest achievement of the present government is peace, he added that there would be development only when there is peace and harmony in the state.

Stating that the state is able to witness various forms of development under the present government, Biswajit pointed out that railway connectivity has already reached the state and once the rail-head reaches Imphal, Manipur would become the gateway of the country to ASEAN countries under the Act East Policy.

In his address, YAS Minister Letpao Haokip stated that it was indeed rare to find such a spacious and well-located playground in Imphal area nowadays.

He also announced that floodlights would be installed at the complex soon as the tender process had already begun.

The Minister also thanked the Chief Minister for always being supportive and approving of any developmental steps and decisions when it comes to sports.

He added that having such a sports-loving leader makes the functioning of the sports department easier and more productive.

He also stated that out of the 32 sub-divisions, 8 of the proposals for the construction of mini-stadium had'been approved.

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