RD&PR Minister proposes 15,000 houses for IDPs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 04 2025: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Yumnam Khemchand has proposed the construction of 15,000 houses at a cost Rs 5 lakh each for displaced people in both hill and valley districts.

He made the proposal during a virtual meeting with Union Minister of Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan yesterday.

Speaking to the media in this regard at his quarters at Old Secretariat, Khemchand said that the Ministry of Rural Development had already approved the construction of 7,000 houses at a cost of Rs 1.3 lakh each for IDPs whose residential places have either been torched or flattened after repeated recommendations by the State Government.

The Minister said that he recommended construction of at least 15,000 at a cost of Rs 5 lakh as the number of displaced persons is more than 60,000.He said that he also apprised Shivraj Singh Chouhan of the inability to resettle the displaced families at their respective places due to the protracted crisis.

Saying that constructing a house with just Rs 1.3 lakh won't be possible as the price of construction materials is costlier in Manipur, he reiterated that he has requested the Union Minister to increase the amount approved for constructing a house to Rs 5 lakh.

Saying that Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured to provide all possible assistance from the side of the Centre, Khemchand said that he has faith the Centre will approve his proposal.

The Minister went on to state that he will meet the Union Minister of Rural Development at Delhi and put forward the same proposal again.

Khemchand also said that he discussed the implementation of the water Conservation programme under the Amrit Sarovar scheme during the virtual meeting with the Union Minister, He said that 1228 ponds have been dug in Manipur under the scheme against the approval given by the Centre to dig 1220 ponds.

About the Chief Minister tendering his apology to the victims of Manipur crisis, the Minister said that the apology can be perceived in different ways.

The Minister said that he, however, doesn't see any problem in the apology of the Chief Minister.

Extending his New Year greetings, Khemchand prayed for return of normalcy in Manipur so that people irrespective of their communities can live together again.

It is obvious for the people to vent their anger on the Government given the situation in Manipur, he said and added that the State Government nonetheless has been working to restore normalcy in the State.

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