Dipu Gangmei assumes office as HAC chairman
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 12 2022: BJP MLA of Nungba assembly constituency Dipu Gangmei has assumed the office of chairman of Hill Areas Committee (HAC) on Tuesday.

Chief minister N Biren, speaker Th Satyabrata and HAC members accompanied him to his office as per the customary practice.

Interacting with the media, CM Biren said that HAC is ah important committee of the legislative assembly, which will discuss and bring up issues related with the hill areas of the state so that the government could take up effective measures.

Good coordination between HAC and the government can bring development and welfare in the hill areas by developing requisite infrastructures and services, he said while seeking public support.

Responding to posers over increasing cases of drug trafficking despite the government's war on drugs campaign, Biren said that it is not a question of increasing drug trafficking cases but increased vigil and activities by state force under strict instructions of the government.

Steps are being taken up to award jail term of one to two years to those arrested with drugs and to fast track legal processes in drug related cases.

After setting up anti-drug cell, the government has also empowered IRB and MR personnel to carry out frisking and arresting drug traffickers, he said.

He also thanked anti-drug volunteers of Khergao for their support to his government's war on drugs campaign.

Biren also said that the expansion of his cabinet will take place soon.

Meanwhile, Dipu Gangmei thanked the chief minister and HAC members for electing him as the chairman of HAC unopposed.

All the 19 members of HAC are experts in different fields, he said, while express ing belief that the committee would work effectively with the contribution and coordination from its members.

Taking to his Twitter handle, CM Biren Singh wrote, "Looking forward to working with you (Dipu) to further enhance the process of peace and development in the hills of Manipur." Dipu Gangmei was the lone person to have submitted the nomination paper till the last date, which was Monday.

A bureaucrat-turned politician, Dipu Gangmei defeated senior Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam in the recently-held state assembly elections.

The Hill Areas Committee constituted under the Manipur Legislative Assembly (HAC) order, 1972, consists of all elected MLAs from the hill areas as its members.

It is the highest body at the legislative level to oversee the planning, implementation and monitoring of related development activities of the hill areas in the state.

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