With 15 years under belt Ibobi questions BJP Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 25 2019: Ex-Chief Minister and CLP leader Okram Ibobi has stated that he does not like to compare what the Congress Government achieved during its 15 years of rule and what the incumbent BJP-led incumbent has achieved so far.

Saying that he does no have any intention to take credits for what the Congress Government achieved, Ibobi maintained that the people may establish the truths and facts.

Speaking at a booth level interaction programme of Congress workers held this afternoon at Thangapat Mapal community hall under the aegis of the Yaiskul Block Congress Committee, Ibobi claimed that the situation of power supply has improved remarkably in the State on account of the power reforms undertaken by his Government.

As the power generated from Loktak Hydroelectric Power Project is short of the State's total power demand, the State Government has been spending crores of rupees every month in purchasing power.

Even purchasing power from outside the State was fraught with several difficulties as the purchased power was imported through power cable of just 132 KV capacity.

Now, the Power Grid Corporation of India has constructed a powerline of much bigger 400 KV capacity from Silchar to Yurembam.

The powerline of 400 KV capacity has the capacity to transfer up to 1500 MW which means the State would not face any problem in importing power from outside the State for the next 30/40 years, Ibobi asserted citing engineers.

Although construction of the 400 KV powerline was a Central project, the State Government closely monitored the project's progress and reports were summoned every month.

Likewise, progress reports of the execution of Jiribam-Imphal railway line were summoned regularly, Ibobi said.

He said that all Central Government projects would be delayed if the State Government just sits idle just because the projects are implemented by the Central Government.

India is a democratic country having a federal structure.

Under a federal structure, the Central Government cannot simply impose its whims and diktats upon State Governments regardless of whether BJP or Congress is in power at the Centre.

State Governments' demands for development funds should not be construed as begging.

On the contrary, it is the Central Government's obligation to fulfil to State Governments' demands for development funds, asserted the ex-Chief Minister.

Pointing out that there is NDA Government at the Centre and a BJP-led Government in the State, Ibobi called upon the State Government to take up more development projects on priority basis in the interest of the people of the State.

But while the State has been witnessing little development projects, prices of essential commodities have been rising, he remarked.

The recent statement of the Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman on the country's economic condition was rather disappointing.

The current economic situation is the worst during the past 70 years.

The situation is equally bad in the State too, he said.

Calling upon all Congress workers not to be disheartened, Ibobi asserted that it is every citizen's right to appreciate what is good and criticise what is wrong and harmful.

MPCC president Gaikhangam said that like human life, politics too has its own ups and downs but this does not mean a political party has been defeated.

Saying that a series of booth level interaction programmes are being held across the State under the auspices of AICC, Gaikhangam claimed that these programmes are guided by a vision to win 45 seats of the State's total 60 seats in the next Manipur Legislative Assembly election which is due in 2012 .

"We have been telling the BJP-led coalition Government to rule the State for the full five year term and work for the welfare of people but they have been continuously fuming and fretting against each other", Gaikhangam remarked.

He warned that Manipur would land in chaos if the coalition Government continues any longer and added that, this is something manifested in the charges and counter charges hurled within BJP.

He then asked how long an unstable Government would last and how such a Government marred by internal discords would tackle serious like protection of the State's integrity, incessant influx of non-local people etc.

Instead of paying any attention to these pressing issues, BJP MLAs and Minister are busy in a protracted power struggle, he ridiculed.

Charging each other of withdrawing a huge amount in contravention of rules and regulation, the Government even instituted an enquiry.

But the enquiry now seems to have died a silent death, said the MPCC president.

PCC member H Vikramjit and MPCC president Hareshwore Goswami and other Congress leaders too spoke at the interaction programme.

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