Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 19:
The Union Minister of State for Food Processing, Thounaojam Chaoba Singh urged the Prime Minister to provide Rs 20 crores for construction of Assembly building, which was burnt down during the June 18 uprising.
In a representation to the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Chaoba requested the Centre to provide Rs 20 crores as Cental assistance from the non-lapsable pool for construction of the Assembly building and High Court building, Speaker's bungalow and 20 Government quarters of MLAs and Ministers.
He said that the State Government, which is already facing a serious financial problem, may not be in a position to rebuild the buildings burnt during the violent agitation.
The construction may be carried out by any Central Government agency in view of the limited availability of time and also the current law and order situation in Manipur, Chaoba said.
The Union Minister also urged the State Governor Ved Marwah to take up the issue of construction of the damaged buildings with the Prime Minister.
In a letter to the Governor Chaoba said construction of these buildings would go a long way in serving the public interest.
But since the fund required for reconstruction of these buildings is huge, the State Government may seek funds for the purpose from the Centre's non-lapsable pool, he said.
Stating that he has already taken the matter with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, the Union Minister suggested that the State Government may send a detailed proposal to Planning Commission.