Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 16 2010:
Lauding Chief Minister Okram Ibobi's enthusiastic participation in the recently held Orange Festival at Tamenglong district, the Manipur Pineapple Festival Committee, Manipur has urged upon the Chief Minister to pay equal attention and treatment irrespective of caste, tribe or region for the end of justice.
However, a press release issued by the committee also recalled that neither the Chief Minister contributed a single paise nor any Government official was present at the 3rd State Level Manipur Pineapple Festival held at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam ground in Bunglon High School campus, Churachandpur on August 27 and 28 last.
While appreciating the Chief Minister's declaration to grant Rs 10 lakhs to the organising committee of the Orange Festival next year, the committee demanded that the same yardstick as applied to orange should be applied to pineapple, lemon or passion fruits.
If the Government of Manipur is to go ahead with the grant of Rs 10 lakhs for Orange Festival from next year, then the same treatment must be given to pineapple, lemon or passion fruit growers.
It wished that the Chief Minister be 'born again' not only for orange growers but for all farmers of Manipur.