CM confident of achieving goal of drug-free state
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 19 2022:
After getting support from different CSOs and communities from different districts, chief minister N Biren received support from Kangpokpi CSOs and village chiefs to the government's War on Drugs campaign as a delegation from the district called on him at his office to show their support and submitted a pledge statement to the CM.
The delegation comprising representatives of KSO, Kuki CSOs, women organisations, Gurkha CSOs, Naga CSOs and village chiefs met with the CM and submitted their pledge statement in a simple function held at the CM's secretariat here on Thursday afternoon.
Commerce and Industries minister Nemcha Kipgen, horticulture and soil conservation minister Letpao Haokip and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen were also present at the event.
Addressing media persons, CM Biren said that the government is fully focused on bringing development and delivering welfare benefits to the general public.
"Kangpokpi is a district largely affected by illegal poppy plantation and he was worried about the future of the district and its people, which will have significant impact on the future of the state too.
With Kangpokpi joining in the campaign against drugs, I firmly believe that the war on drugs campaign will be a success," the Chief Minister said.
It may be mentioned here that CSOs, village chiefs, and leaders of various districts and areas including Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Noney, Tengnoupal, Saikul ACs have already pledged their support to the campaign.
Expressing his gratitude to the public for their support, Biren said that the movement is gaining momentum through support from various quarters.
"What we are doing today is not for ourselves, but for our future generation.
From today, let us take a new step towards building a drug-free New Manipur and focus mainly on bringing development," he exhorted.
Biren further said that he is entrusting minister Letpao Haokip with some critical tasks to be taken up in the hill areas, which is why he is attending the programme.
Instructions have been given to take up certain initiatives to improve economy of hill people under horticulture and tribal affairs departments.
The government will provide necessary funds for this initiative, he assured.
Ration shops will be opened in the interior parts of the hills to ensure that food grains are available to the public, the CM said while asserting that the government is fully focused on bringing development and delivering welfare benefits to the general public.
He also urged public to inform him about any grievances.
Responding to posers from media persons, the CM said that his posts on social media are always flooded with demand for declaring results of IRB recruitment.
He also confided that he had even blocked some users.
Informing that the recruitment results will be declared by the end of June, he appealed to the public not to raise the question again on social media.
As for the adoption of Manipur Plastic Policy, 2022, the CM said that single use plastic will be banned but water bottle of 1 litre and above will not be covered by the ban.
Some new entrepreneurs of the state, who have availed assistance under Start-Up scheme, have come up with innovative and environment friendly products which can replace single use plastics, he added.
Minister Nemcha Kipgen read out proceeding of an emergency meeting held by several CSOs on May 18 declaring support to the War on Drugs.
During the meeting, it was unanimously resolved to ban illegal cultivation of poppy plants with immediate effect within the administrative jurisdiction of Kangpokpi district and declared the district a Drug-Free Zone.
Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen also read out a public pledge taken by the CSOs for supporting the War on Drugs campaign.