Timber smuggling ruining PMGSY roads in hill areas: Khemchand
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 22 2023:
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj minister (RD&PR) minister Yumnam Khemchand has contended that timber smuggling is the main reason for cutting short life span of PMGSY roads in the hills.
Speaking at the inaugural programme of the 6th general conference of Maram Women's Union at Willong Khullen in Senapati district on Saturday as the chief guest, minister Khemchand maintained that smugglers transport tonnes of timber/logs on the PMGSY roads in the hilly areas and subsequently reduce the life span of these roads.
Stating that the government and authorities concerned alone wouldn't be in a position to restrict such smuggling activities without the help of the locals, he called upon the village authority and the denizens to shoulder the responsibility of stopping timber smuggling and extend co-operation to the government's endeavour for ensuring better roads in the interior parts of the state.
He further assured of completing PMGSY roads that connect Willong and other villages within March.
Regarding the demands of Maram Women's Union, the minister said that he does not want to give assurance on matters that could not be translated into action.
Avoiding such half-promise will hold the bond of relationship between the people for a long time, he continued, while maintaining that he will try to complete construction of a rural hut in the village similar to market shed constructed under MGNREGSA.
Benefits for construction of houses to those beneficiaries are also given under PMAY housing for all scheme, he added.
Informing that approval has been granted for construction of 1.5 lakh houses under PMAY (rural) scheme in hill areas, he conceded that only 42,000 houses are under construction due to certain issues in their implementation.
Khemchand also said that 16,000 houses have been completed and the scheme will reopen from June/July.
Every eligible beneficiary will be considered for the scheme, he assured while urging the Maram Women's Union to help the authorities in selecting deserving beneficiaries.
The inaugural programme of the four day conference was also attended by former minister Francis Ngajokpa, former deputy speaker K Raina and Bharatiya Infra Private Limited (BIPL) managing director Ningombam Ibochouba among others.
After attending the programme, minister Khemchand inspected the PMGSY roads in Willong village.
These roads connect with other neighbouring Villages.
The minister along with rural engineering department engineers and BIPL managing director Ibochouba inspected the 21.50 km long PMGSY road from Willong Khunou to Chakha Part-2 and also the 120 feet long Bailey bridge constructed over the Kadat River.
During the inspection, the official team expressed satisfaction on proper execution of PMGSY road from Willong Khunou to Chakha Part-2, but lamented delay in completion of the Bailey bridge over Kadat river, though the work completion certificate of the same was submitted on April 1, 2022 .
The min ister questioned the reason for non-completion of the bridge and issued firm instructions to the work agency concerned to ensure its completion at the earliest.