Peace and stability backbone of development: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 11 2021: The Kangpokpi chapter of Go to Hills 2.0 witnessed massive turnout of public on Monday with Chief Minister N Biren inaugurating various infrastructure projects taken up by different departments in the district.

The main function held at Brigadier Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi town was organised by Kangpokpi district administration.

Chief Minister Biren inaugurated as many as 29 projects costing around Rs 30 crore during the "Go to Hills 2.0" programme of Kangpokpi district including Pressure Adsorption Swing Oxygen Plant at district hospital, Kangpokpi; office of the Champhai TD Block and Bungte Chiru TD Block; Sadbhavna Mandap at Kangpokpi and Saitu Gamphazol; upgrade of KGBY (eight rooms) at Ekoumullam; School Fagathansi Mission at T Waichong and Motbung high schools; pick up weirs across Kounu River, Haipi Stream of Kharkhola village and Gopibung Stream; Oak Tasar Grainage Building at TSF Phaijang; Water Supply Schemes of 12 KLD each at Namthajang, Langdeibung, Ichaigojang, Longa Koireng, Haibung, Khoirok, Lairok Vaiphei and L Phaijang (Phaijol); Health and Wellness Centres at Kalapahar; PHSC T Khullen and PHC Saikul; institutional building at PHC Saikul; Primary Health Sub Centre at Chalwa; Anti-Natal and Post-Natal rooms at PHC Saikul; construction of road from L028- Thayong to Tanthouphai; construction of Bailey Bridge (120 ft) span over Khujarok River at Tingkhai Khunou and Transit accommodation of teachers and doctors at Kangpokpi.

The chief minister also laid the foundation stone of various projects in the district while distributing government assistance under various schemes/projects and departments to more than 37,784 beneficiaries costing around Rs 46.34 crore.

Thousands of people from across Kangpokpi district including various civil society organisations congregated at the venue to welcome the chief minister and his cabinet ministers and MLAs for the programme.

When the chief minister arrived, he was warmly greeted by the people under the aegis of Thadou Inpi Kangpokpi District with beating of the traditional gong and led him to the programme avenue from National Highway 2.Then, he was felicitated along with his cabinet ministers and MLAs by the local MLA Nemcha Kipgen with Thadou traditional shawls which was followed by presentation of a short video on various achievements in the district.

Addressing the gathering, CM Biren thanked the civil society organisations, church leaders and BJP workers in the district for making the Go to Hills 2.0' programme a grand success in the district while conveying sincere appreciation to all the government officials for being the backbone of all the achievements in the state till today by the present government.

Recounting about Go to Hills' mission, Biren said that as soon as he assumed the charge of chief minister he was restless to find the answers to several questions as to why there existed mistrust among the people living together in the state since time immemorial, who created such mistrust and how it was created.

"Finally the almighty god guided me with a mission to go to hills and meet with the people, listen to their grievances and problems and this is how Go to Hills' mission came into being," he added.

"We are not coming to the hills to have simple governance and we did not form the government to give only governance, but we have come with a mission of change in the state.

We come with an idea and innovative thought that how our people can enjoy the schemes or benefits provided by the central and state government," asserted the CM.

He continued that when they formed the government, there was not a single household in Kangpokpi district which had drinking water connection but now the government has been able to provide tap water to around 63 per cent of the households in Kangpokpi district in the last four and half years despite the Covid-19 pandemic and political instability.

Various developmental projects had been taken up in the district even during the hard time of Covid-19 pandemic.

Around 22,781 people have been enrolled and provided CMHT cards and nearly 2,271 people availed benefits of the health scheme, he claimed.

"Peace and political stability is the backbone of development", Biren affirmed while adding that without peace and political stability we cannot even dream of development.

Pointing out that there are differences in ideas, ideologies, policies, and thinking in a coalition government, he appealed to the people of Kangpokpi to give a solid, absolute single-party government in the next assembly so that Manipur can keep peace and stability.

He continued that the present government will not cheat and discriminate the people and will not rob them of their rights rather it will sincerely and dedicatedly provide whatever belongs to the people.

People of Manipur are living together peacefully since time immemorial and will live together till the last, he said, while urging the people not to change their mindsets of living together peacefully and not be politicized by vested people.

While making clear the stand of the government on ADC Bill, he said that there will be not a single change in the provision of the Hill Areas Committee which is provided under the Indian constitution and the government will fully protect and preserve it.

One thing is also very clear that this government cannot go beyond the constitution and cannot violate the constitution of India, which is to be respected by everyone, he continued, while adding that the government will fully protect and preserve whatever it has in the constitution, in the Hill Area Committee and also in the Autonomous District Council.

He further announced that the government would consider construction of a Women's Market (Ima Market) at Motbung very soon.

He also expressed satisfaction that 32,327 toilets have been constructed under Swachh Bharat Mission so far.

Appreciating the civil society organisations of Kangpokpi district for their continuous support towards government's development initiatives, the chief minister also sought cooperation of the people of Kangpokpi in the construction of Asian Highway so that the construction could be completed soon in the larger interest of the state.

Maintaining that the state had witnessed growth in many sectors, he stated that all the hill districts now have oxygen generation plants and the government is trying to develop infrastructure in the health sector in every possible way.

Pointing out that all the activities of the government are recorded in web portal along with video footages, he said that political parties who blabber can also easily access the web portal and the government does not want to squabble.

Reflecting on the state of affairs during the previous government, N Biren said that past situation in the state like women hurrying home after dusk, numerous killings and the fear of police by the people will return had the people not backed the present government.

Works minister Th Biswajit, while delivering his speech, maintained that the government has been working with a commitment to bring inclusive development in the state following the footsteps of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister frequently mentions the potentials of Northeast India which could become India's growth engine and as such the Look East Policy has been transformed to Act East Policy, he added.

The minister also mentioned about various welfare schemes introduced bythe government.

Education minister S Rajen Singh said that though the Congress government granted districthood to Kangpokpi, the BJP government ensured administrative power, infrastructure, and functional departments.

He also said that selection of beneficiaries under the blue revolution has already been completed and the sanctioned amount will be transferred into the respective bank accounts of the beneficiaries at the earliest while assuring that DIET centre for Kangpokpi district will be made functional within this year.

Ministers Letpao Haokip, Vungzagin Valte and Oinam Lukhoi, advisor to chief minister (health) Dr Sapam Ranjan, MP Sanajaoba Leishemba, MLAs Nemcha Kipgen and Ngamthang Haokip, chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, Kangpokpi deputy commissioner Somorjit Salam, SP Karthik Malladi, top civil and police officials also attended the programme among others.

Cultural dances from Thadou cultural troupes and Gorkha Nepali cultural troupes marked the occasion.

Comment