Mani Shankar Aiyar exhorts SHGs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 02 2008: Union Minister of Development of North East Region (DONER) and Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar today visited Senapati and Ukhrul districts to inspect the works being taken up under the North East Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) for upland areas.

NERCORMP is a joint initiative of the Government of India and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialised agency of the United Nations, head-quartered in Rome.

The North Eastern Council (NEC) which is under DONER represents the Government of India and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the co-operating institution in the implementation of the project.

The principal thrust of the project is to secure the participation of communities in planning and management of all development interventions so as to lead to self-reliant community institutions.

Mani Shankar Aiyar being accorded a warm welcome at Senapati during his visit

On arrival at Maram Centre of Senapati district at around 11.45 am today, the Union Minister was accorded a warm welcome with presentation of cultural dances and songs.

During the reception function hosted in his honour, the Union Minister interacted with representatives of various Self Help Groups (SHGs) taking first hand account of the progress of the works being taken up under the project.

He also inspected the various stalls put up by the SHGs.

During the course of the interaction, the representatives of the SHGs expressed gratitude over the water supply project taken up at Maram Khullen with funding of Rs 22 lakhs from the side of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Rs 12 lakhs from the side of the villagers hoping that the project would be beneficial to all the villages of the Senapati district.

After listening to the representatives of SHGs, the Union Minister assured that World Bank would be providing more fund and he would try his best to ensure that the benefit of the project reaches out to every village of Senapati district.

Maintaining that the SHGs need to work hard to increase their productions, the Union Minister observed that increase in production would automatically lead to market facility and other infrastructural requirements.

Taking advantage of the visit of the Union Minister, many NGOs also handed over their memorandum.

DC of Senapati District, SP Senapati, MLA K Raina and IFAD officials were also present at the occasion.

At around 1.30 pm, the Union Minister left Maram Centre for Ukhrul district where he also inspected the works being taken up under the project.