Ibobi looks back at 15 yrs journey of Cong Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 20 2016: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has assured to pay the salary of October before the Ningol Chakkouba and Kut festivals.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, O Ibobi, who is set to complete a record third term in the office of the Chief Minister, recollected the journey of the Congress party in Manipur.

The Chief Minister said that the achievements and problems faced during the uninterrupted 15 years rule of the party will be produced before the public soon and added that the Government is preparing the list of developmental works undertaken during his rule.

The ruling Congress that formed a coalition Government in 2002 will be completing its third term (15 year) soon.

Okram Ibobi Singh became the Chief Minister of Manipur on March 7, 2002.Before the Congress led SPF Government was formed, Manipur was under President's rule for 277 days.

When his Government came to power, Manipur was knee deep in financial crisis, he recalled.

The total budget of the State stood at Rs 550 crore against the Rs 557.68 crore deficit.

"One possible reason for the deficit could be the implementation of the 5th Pay Commission", the Chief Minister said.

The State Government approached the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Finance Minister Jaswant Singh for financial assistance but the request was not received well.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi stationed at New Delhi for a whole week waiting for an appointment with either the Prime Minister or the Finance Minister.

Running out of options, the Chief Minister met Congress president Sonia Gandhi who asked former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to arrange a meeting with the Finance Minister.

The same day Chief Minister Okram Ibobi along with Manmohan Singh, met the Finance Minister at his office chamber.

At the meeting, the Finance Minister inquired how much the total deficit was, the Chief Minister recounted.

After showing him all the facts and numbers of the financial crisis, the Finance Minister sanctioned a sum of Rs 120 crore for the State the same day.

"The financial and the law and order condition of the State was in a mess when I took office", the Chief Minister said.

In 2004, the UPA Government came to power and Dr Manmohan Singh was appointed the Prime Minister of India.

The same year on November 20, the newly appointed Prime Minister paid a historic visit to Manipur.

The same day, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh handed over the sacred Kangla, which had been occupied by the Assam Rifles decades, to the people.

"It wasn't the doing of the Government alone.

The protests and struggles of the civil society organisations and political parties were finally heard with the UPA Government at the Centre", the Chief Minister said.

The Prime Minister during his visit also laid the foundation stones of various capital projects including the construction of a State Assembly, High Court complex and Civil Secretariat.

A special package of Rs 2777.68 crore for the Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal Railway line, capitol projects, construction and repair of Maram-Parel road and 16 other link roads, renovation of District Headquarters and ADC head quarters were also announced, the CM recalled.

Dolaithabi Project and Thoubal Multi Purpose project was later added to the special package after consideration.

Today, the projects are almost completed and it is one of the greatest achievements of the Government, the CM said.

"I won't delve deep, but the package also proposed the upgradation of Sports Academy, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex and Manipur University to Central level", he said.

In his second visit to the State in 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the establishment of a Sports Academy at Khuman Lampak, construction of City Convention Centre.

"The public must be aware that the law and order situation of the State has improved considerably.

The State is largely dependent on the Centre owing to our lack of resources.

Therefore, we must use the sanctioned funds wisely", the CM said.

To aid the umemployed people of the State, the Government has introduced Manipur Start Up Policy.

Under the Policy, the State Government guides and provides financial assistance to people who have innovative ideas but does not have the resources to start a business on their own, he said.

The Chief Minister while appealing to the people of Manipur to support the Congress party said the problems of unemployment and water shortage will be addressed if the people return the Congress to power for another term.

Comment