Govt has utilised 75% NLCPR funds in hill areas
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 11 2011: CM, O Ibobi Singh said it was a difficult task to get funds released for projects and schemes sponsored by the Central government.

He was speaking today while informing that the Centre is closely monitoring the projects and schemes in the state funded by it.

Speaking at the reception programme for the newly elected Congress councilors of Imphal Municipal Council held at the Congress Bhavan, Imphal, Ibobi said that the Centre is keen to release funds to the state for taking up projects.

The Centre releases funds after closely monitoring the work progress.

Before releasing funds, it will send a team to inspect the work progress.

This is why the state government has taken seriously all projects funded by the Centre, he said.

His government is giving top priority in power and water resource sectors as these two are the main components for speeding up the development pace and the state too is facing a short supply in these two sectors.

Consequently, his government is planning to upgrade the power transmission and water supply system, he added.

To attract entrepreneurs and businessmen from outside the state the state government is planning to install a 400 KV capacity power distribution line for procurement of power from the Power Grid Corporation.

Ibobi said he has had discussions on the project with the officials of the World Bank who recently visited at Imphal.

He said, the project would cost ' 600 crore.

Another project for making a tunnel to bring water from Maphou dam to Imphal has received clearance for Central funding.

The estimated cost of the project is ' 600 crore, the CM said.

Further talking on the developmental initiatives taken by the Congress led SPF government, he said, government is investing 75% of the total funds received from the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) for the development of hill areas in the state.

Development cannot take place only in the Imphal area.

All round development of both the hills and the valley areas are needed for the state to march ahead with development, the CM said. Ibobi also announced the government plans to construct market-sheds in each hill district headquarters.

This proposal has been approved by the Centre.

Manipur government had proposed the construction of the market-sheds so as to provide space for villagers to sell their local products easily.

The proposed market-sheds would also solve the congestion in the Imphal area.

While informing that 50% of the power of the tribal development department of the state government has been devolved to the hill Autonomous District Council (ADC), the CM asserted that government had decided to devolve power to other local elected bodies including the Imphal Municipal Council.

Reminding the inclusion of Imphal city among the 63 mission cities selected by the Centre for renovation under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, Ibobi called the newly elected Congress councillors to help in streamlining the working of the IMC.

While taking up the mission mode schemes for renovation of the city, a powerful able administration is a must for the IMC, the CM asserted.

Further speaking about development aspects of the state, he said that the main problems in taking up developmental works in the state are power and water supply.

He reminded the state will continue to face power shortage until the present power transmission system is upgraded.

MPCC (Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee) president Gaikhangam, speaking on the occasion, asserted the secret of the success of the Congress in the recently conducted IMC election was the people's confidence in the party's policy and programmes.

The Congress, mention may be made secured a majority in the May 25 Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) elections by winning 14 of the 27 wards.

Two independent candidates later extended support to the Congress.

Gaikhangam said the result of the Municipal Council is a prelude to the 2012 assembly election of Manipur.

"The Congress position is intact and today's results of the IMC will definitely reflect in next year's assembly election," he added.

Speaker, I Hemochandra and government chief whip, MLA T Mangibabu were among other Congress leaders who attended the function.

Comment