LDA to be brought under forest deptt
Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, December 07:
The state Governor-in-council has given the green signal for launching the controversial Tipaimukh Dam project.
The council has also decided to bring the Loktak Development Authority, which was hitherto under the purview of the irrigation and flood control department, under the forest department.
These decisions were taken during a meeting of the council held this afternoon at the Raj Bhavan with the Governor Ved Prakash Marwah in the chair.
The two advisors to the Governor, K Kipgen and EN Ram Mohan, the chief secretary Rakesh, additional chief secretaries, Ramthanga and Saichhuana, principal secretaries PBO Warjari, and DS Poonia, secretary YAS Jerol, special secretary (cabinet), P Bharat, divisional commissioner-I, Ch Birendra, and secretary (information), S Buddhachandra, were present.
The Tipaimukn Dam is to be constructed by the Central government at a cost of Rs 5000 crores over a period of 12 years.
The state is entitled to get 12% of the power generated at the Tipaimukh dam free of cost.
The process for implementation of the dam construction had been initiated during the chief ministership of Wahengbam Nipamacha.
According to sources, after discussing various aspects of the project, the meeting today approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Central government for launching the construction of the Tipaimukh dam.
The council also agreed to shift the Loktak Development Authority from the IFC department to the forest department, keeping in view its responsibilities for preserving the lake's environment and ecology.
A small officers' committee has also been formed to examine the nature of incentive rewards to be given to the state medal winners in the just concluded National Games.
The committee, headed by the state chief secretary, has been asked to submit the report before a reception planned by the government for the state athletes is held.
The council has also agreed to release an amount of Rs 72,24,831 for purchase of computers and accessories for the state police under the police modernization scheme initiated by the Union ministry of home affairs.
A further Rs 23 lakhs is to be released for carrying out special revision of electoral rolls for the forthcoming state assembly elections.