Cong treasures Dr Manmohan's contributions to state
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 29 2024:
Congress Legislature Party leader and former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh praised former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for his significant contributions to the development of the Northeast, particularly Manipur, during his 10-year term.
Addressing the media at Congress Bhawan, here, on Sunday, Ibobi recalled the former PM's deep affection for Manipur, noting that he accorded the special category status to the state.
"This support led to the construction of a new assembly, high court building, and civil secretariat.
Infrastructure in the hill districts was also developed, with district hospitals and power sub-stations built during Manmohan Singh's tenure," he maintained.
Had there had been a leader like Dr Manmohan, then the conflict in Manipur, which has been raging for the past 19 months, would have been resolved a long time back, Ibobi opined during the media briefing, which was preceded by a condolence meeting for the former PM organised by MPCC on Sunday.
Ibobi stated that the works done by Dr Manmohan Singh for the north eastern states including Manipur cannot be relayed in just an hour.
He firmly believed that the country cannot progress without the development of the northeast region and worked hard for the same regardless of whether he was in the ruling or opposition.
As such, if there had been humanistic and caring leader like Dr Manmohan Singh, the prevailing conflict in Manipur would have been solved much earlier and not last over 19 months till date, Ibobi reiterated.
Mentioning that it was Dr Manmohan who granted the special category status to Manipur, the former CM said that the mini secretariat in hill districts, High Court, district hospitals and other development infrastructures were constructed under the Special Assistance Plan.
The former PM also agreed to setting up a branch of Indira Gandhi Open University for the students in hill districts, apart from introducing a 30 per cent subsidy for entrepreneurs.
At present, Manipur has no special status category or an industrial policy, he rued.
The CLP leader continued that the coalition government led by Congress was not formed for the party but for the country.
He added that Dr Manmohan, convinced the then union finance minister Jaswant Singh in supporting the north-eastern region.
On claims that the former PM was too reserved and weak, Ibobi cited commendations from international leaders with regard to Dr Manmohan s leadership and especially the economic reforms he made for India.
Another landmark achievement was the signing of the US-India Nuclear deal.
India's race to become the third economic powerhouse in the near future is based on the path laid down by the former PM, he stressed.
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Keisham Meghachandra also acknowledged Dr Manmohan's contributions, emphasising that he will be remembered in Manipur's history for being the first PM to lift the Armed Forces' Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state.
"The lifting of AFSPA from seven assembly segments and the return of Kangla Fort from the Assam Rifles to the people of Manipur were significant milestones, fulfilling long-standing demands," he added.
As part of the meeting, floral tributes were offered to the portrait of the former PM, followed by observance of two-minute silence as a mark of respect.
The tribute event was also attended by CWC member Gaikhangam, former Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya, MLAs and other party leaders.
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