CM launches vaccine mahotsav
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, July 15 2022: Attending two separate incidents, Chief Minister N Biren today launched a 75 day Covid precautionary dose vaccination drive and opened a stakeholders' meet under 'District as Export Hubs Scheme' .

Chief Minister N Biren today launched the 'Covid Vaccine Amrit Mahotsav Jan Abhiyan Free Covid Precaution Dose' for 18-59 age group at the Chief Minister's Secretariat.

The vaccine mahotsav will continue till September 30 at Government vaccination centres.

It is organized by the National Health Mission and Directorate of Health and Family Welfare.

Addressing media persons in this regard, the Chief Minister said that State is witnessing gradual increase in the number of Covid cases over the past few days.

However, it is unfortunate that there are many people who are reluctant to go for vaccination even when it is provided free, the Chief Minister said, highlighting that only 62 percent (14,52,293) has taken the first dose of vaccination and only 51 percent (11,98,953) has taken the second dose.

CM launches vaccine mahotsav

"We are targeting vaccination of around 23,41,000," he added.

The Chief Minister appealed to the people against taking COVID-19 lightly and said the State had already lost more than 2000 precious lives during the past waves despite all efforts, and another wave of Covid would severely impact the State.

Biren further urged all those who are yet to take any dose of the vaccine against believing in superstition but instead take the jab.

Regarding opening of schools, the Chief Minister observed that since children below 12 years of age are yet to be vaccinated, the Government has decided on closure of schools for them for some time and it could be extended, if the need arises.

Stating that the Government welcomes all ideas and suggestions from the public, he added that the Government was able to fight the Covid pandemic earlier with support and cooperation of the public and would still need support and cooperation of the public to fight it again.

The programme was also attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh and PHE Minister L Susindro Meitei and many officials, among others.

N Biren also opened a stakeholders consultation meet under 'District as Export Hubs Scheme' at the Sangai Hall, Hotel Imphal.

The meet was organized by the District Administration, Imphal East.

Speaking as the chief guest of the inaugural session, the Chief Minister said that the State government has also initiated the 'One Product.

One Sub-division Scheme' and Prabharis have been appointed as in-charge for each 68 sub-divisions.

He elaborated that every sub-division will have its own product.

The Chief Minister also expressed his happiness with the bureaucrats of the State and explained that the Government in its previous term had introduced the Meeyamgi Numit and Hill Leaders' Day to interact with the general public to understand the grievances at the ground level.

Today, the State's officers have initiated these interaction programmes at the district level, he added.

Under these programmes, the officers are going to the public and delivering the benefits to the doorsteps, the Chief Minister said, highlighting the sincerity and hard-work of the officers.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the need to attract investors to bring development and to develop infrastructure for that.

The State has received a proposal for hosting the Femina Miss India contest, he said, and further explained the need to create infrastructure to host such events.

Highlighting the Government's plans for developing infrastructure in the State, Biren deliberated on the under- construction Olympic Park, setting up of a 5-star status hotel at the old High Court site, night landing facility at the Imphal Airport etc.

He continued that Manipur has huge production capacity of turmeric, pineapple, ginger, etc.

Stating that such products are in high demand outside the State, the Chief Minister said that the State had recently exported pineapple and 10 tonnes of turmeric powder to Europe.

The Chief Minister further stressed on the workings of women Self Help Groups in the State, and added that banks have witnessed an improvement in bank loan repayment over the past few years and that rural economy in the State has also improved.

Textiles, Commerce and Industry Minister Nemcha Kipgen said that the scheme is aimed at targeting export promotion, manufacturing and employment generation at the grassroot level and making India an export powerhouse, thereby contributing to the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission and implement the Prime Minister's vision of Made in India and being vocal for local.

She added that the products identified for Imphal East district namely; Chakhao or black rice, pineapple and diversified handloom and handicraft products have immense economic potential not only in Imphal East but in the entire State.

Commissioner TCI PK Jha said that 75 districts from all over the country have been identified as export hubs on a pilot basis out of which Imphal East district has been identified as one such hub in the State.

He also said that Women Self Help Groups will play an important role and that the MSRLM is also on board for the centrally sponsored scheme.

The IAS officer also said that the concepts of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local are the driving ideas behind the scheme and that it will give a major boost in developing districts as manufacturing hubs and in generating local employment and put the State in the export map of the world.

The inaugural session was also attended by Deputy Commissioner Imphal East Kh Diana Devi, Joint DGFT, Kolkata Amit Sharma, officials and stakeholders, among others.

The inaugural session was followed by a technical session.