Govt never worked against any community: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 29 2024:
Chief minister N Biren on Tuesday said his government never worked against any indigenous community in the state and emphasised its commitment to protect the current and future generations from illegal immigration and drugs.
Speaking at the 9th Ayurveda Day celebrations at Thoubal District Hospital, Biren Singh highlighted the issue of illegal immigrants, claiming that those with fake Aadhaar cards have schemed to overpower the native population for the past 40 years.
He said, "When people will understand why the Manipur conflict broke out, new courage and confidence will emerge.
For the last 40 or 50 years, few have noticed how illegal immigrants have settled in the state and attempted to overpower the indigenous population.
This issue is not confined to the hills but affects every locality".
He said land dealings are now monitored by a cabinet subcommittee, which investigates whether purchasers lived in the state before 1961."Had these measures been implemented 50 years ago, we wouldn't be facing the challenges that we do now.
The previous system of appeasement, aimed solely at retaining power, is responsible for the hardships of today," Biren added.
The chief minister also addressed the rise in the number of MLAs from certain communities over the last few decades.
"Someone who had only five MLAs in the past now has 10.No one has investigated how this increase occurred and how these people were elected.
I have faced criticism for raising these questions.
Has anyone calculated how many MLAs those 10 can become in the next 20 years?" He said, "It's easy to build bridges and roads, but if we don't save the present generation, there won't be any future.
We launched a war on drugs to protect our youth, but instead of appreciation, we face blame and abuse" .
Taking a dig at academics who called for government to be inclusive in its approach, Biren said, "What do you mean by inclusive? I will never accept those coming from outside and embrace them in the name of inclusivity.
If we do, we will surely become a minority.
The reason we endure such abuse is to save the present generation, with nothing to gain personally" .
He continued, "We still lack unity.
No one wants conflict with us; it is often instigated by us.
None of the recognized 34 or 35 tribes in the state are our enemies.
Hills and valleys are one.
Our government has established 1961 as the base year for identifying outsiders to protect indigenous communities.
We have never worked against, nor will we work against, any previously residing communities".
Biren also mentioned that while it may not be feasible to set up medical colleges in every district, there are plans to establish such facilities in accessible areas, with Thoubal District Hospital being a priority for any new college.
He commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to distribute Ayushman cards to all people over 70, regardless of their background, urging everyone in the state to seize this opportunity.
He noted that an official event to launch this initiative will take place soon.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched, inaugurated, and laid foundation stones for multiple health sector projects worth over Rs 12,850 crore across the country in a function held at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi.
Chief Minister N Biren attended the event via video conferencing from Thoubal District Hospital.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister also laid foundation stone for a Critical Care Block of the District Hospital under PM-ABHIM through video conferencing.
Speaking on the occasion, Biren shared that the estimated cost for constructing the Critical Care Block is around Rs 16 crore.
He highlighted the state government's launch of the Chief Ministergi Hakshel gi Tengbang (CMHT) on January 21, 2018, and the launch of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 23, 2018, both aimed at providing cashless medical treatment to the poor and needy.
Under AB-PMJAY, senior citizens over 70 years of age, regardless of income, are now eligible for free treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh at empaneled hospitals, he said.
In line with the Centre's initiative to establish a medical college in every district across the country, the CM said that the government would consider setting up more medical colleges in other districts, such as Thoubal and Ukhrul.
The CM also launched the revised State Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health.
The programme was attended by ministers, MLAs, Thoubal DC, senior police officials, and staff of health services, among others.
(with inputs from PTI) .
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