Visa centre to be opened on Aug 5
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, July 22 2019:
Chief Minister N Biren Singh has announced that a Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) Centre will be launched on August 5 this year at the Citizen Facilitation Centre near 2nd MR Gate, Imphal.
Such VISA services centre would be first of its kind in the entire North East region, he added.
He made the announcement during a loan distri- bution function held at Chief Minister's Secretariat today where loans given by Manipur State Cooperative Bank and SBI were distributed to Self Help Groups (SHGs), fish farmers and other individuals .
Speaking as chief guest of the function, the Chief Minister said that there is a positive change in the State and bandhs, blockades, strikes have no place in the State.
He said that people need to work collectively to bring inclusive development and prosperity in the State and added that transparency for development is the need of the hour.
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Biren stated that since its inception, the vision and objective of the present Government is to extend every possible help to the needy and poor people of the State.
The Government has initiated various initiatives such as Meeyamgi Numit, Hill Leaders's Day, GTV etc to hear the grievances of the people.
He then mentioned that the Government has provided loans to various individuals and groups to improve their livelihoods.
Narrating how he struggled to get a loan in the late 80s, the Chief Minister opined that the Government has instructed the banks to stop harassing loan applicants.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Biren also announced that a fish feed factory has started functioning and it has already started production of fish feeds which will be made available in the market.
He mentioned that the price of fish feeds which contain 24-28 per cent protein, would be available at Rs 55, which is Rs 25 less than the present market price of the fish feed coming from outside the State.
The Government is planning to increase maize and soyabean production from next year.
Maize and soyabean seeds will be distributed to farmers soon so that the raw materials for production of fish feeds would be readily available in the State, he added.
The CM stated that another fish feed factory will be installed at Thanga area, Bishnupur district soon.
Out of the total estimated amount of around Rs 2 crore for setting up the factory, the Centre will provide a sum of Rs 1 crore and another amount of Rs 80 lakh would be borne by SHGs of fish farmers.
With the setting up of this fish feed factory, it will help in doubling fish production in the State, he added.
Managing Director of Manipur State Cooperative Bank (MSCB), Ahanthem Subash said that this is the 3rd Credit Linkage Programme organised by the bank.
The Ministry of Rural Development has given the 'Letter of Appreciation' to the MSCB for outstanding performance in Self Help Group-bank Linkage in 2018-19, he added.
During the function, the Chief Minister disbursed a loan amount of Rs 2.58 crore to 155 SHGs, 16 deserving individuals who have applied through Meeyamgi Numit and Hill Leaders' Day and 38 fish farmers of the State.
Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board, S Rajen, Deputy Speaker K Robindro, MLA of Sekmai AC H Dingo, MLA of Yaiskul AC Th Satyabrata, Principal Secretary (Cooperation) JC Ramthanga, Principal Secretary (Finance) Rakesh Ranjan, Secretary to CM Ningthoujam Geoffrey, Director Fisheries Bidyarani Ayekpam, officials of MSCB, SBI and others attended the function.