Peace call, equitable development punctuate Governor's address
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 06 2013: Preceded by Opposition political parties slamming the Government for what they termed as incompatible to discuss/address various issues besieging the State, the three day Budget session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly got underway from today.

Two new Bills were also introduced before the members on the opening day of the session with the first related to Manipur Municipality Ombudsman Bill 2013 presented by the Chief Minister and the second 'Manipur Rural Local Bodies Ombudsman Bill 2013' tabled by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa.

along with highlighting various development programmes implemented by the State Government, under implementation as well as upcoming projects, the Governor's address ranged from appealing to all armed groups to shun violence to achievement of the Government in diverse fields.

Conveying that the Government has been striving for equitable and inclusive development in both hill and valley areas, Gurbachan conceded that inspite of starting the fiscal year with a negative opening balance every possible measures are being taken to restore and improve the fiscal health of the State through regulated expenditure and temporary ban on non-salary items of expenditure.

Governor delivering his address to the Assembly

Stating that the Government has once again obtained a quantum jump in the Annual Plan 2012-13 to Rs 3500 crore, a growth of 9 percent compared to previous year's plan outlay of Rs 3210 crore, he said sanction has been obtained from the Ministry of DoNER for 150 NLCPR funded projects with a total approved cost of Rs.1206.40 crore.

Most of these projects are located in the hill districts, maintained the Governor.

Citing bestowment of the 3rd e-North East Award in November 2012 at Gangtok to explain advancement made by the Government for financial transaction, electronically, he nevertheless stated that administrative mechanism needs further refinement to reduce delays in pension/salary disbursement process.

Regarding law and order, he informed the House that this year on February 13, three insurgent groups, namely, United Revolutionary Front (uRF), Kcp (Lamphel) and KYKL (MDF) along with 197 cadres and 138 weapons entered into agreements with the union and state Governments, and urged all the other militant groups to shun violence and join the peace process.

"My Government along with the Union Government has signed the extension of suspension of operations agreement with the United People's Front and has offered to sign a similar agreement with the Kuki National organisation.

I appeal to the KNO to come forward and extend their co-operation for bringing peace in the state.

I also appeal to the KsDc to desist from frequent bandhs and blockades which affect the livelihood of the common man and fortify the negative image of the state," said the Governor.

On rural development initiatives by the Government, he said that under MGNREGS 4,74,926 job cards have been issued upto January 31, 2013 in the four valley districts along with a total investment of Rs 46614.73 lakhs till the said period.

While wages to the job card holders are being paid through banks or post offices in the four valley districts, payment of wages for the hill districts has been made through village authorities by forming MGNREGA Village Payment Committees taking into account non-availability of banks and post offices in hill areas.

Further, steps have been taken to disburse the wages component through Business Correspondents as advised by the Ministry of Rural Development, confided the Governor adding that Vigilance and Monitoring Committees have been set up and Social Audit is conducted twice a year to enhance transparency.

Gurbachan also highlighted commitment of the Government to speed up progress/development in the sectors of tribal affairs and hill areas; education; civil supplies; justice delivery; health and family welfare; power; public works and infrastructure; water, sanitation and sewerage; agriculture, allied sectors and natural resources; irrigation and flood control; public transport; urban planning; social welfare; labour welfare; welfare of minorities, other backward classes and scheduled castes; youth affairs and sports; information technology; and culture and tourism .

On power sector, he exuded confidence that the electricity distribution system would have marked improvement upon completion of the 400 kv double circuit line from Silchar to Imphal and other future projects being proposed for implementation in the North Eastern States under the World Bank funding.

Conceding that Manipur has no power generation capacity and totally dependent on the central generating stations located outside the State, he pointed out that with these generation stations also based on hydel power drastic power reduction during lean period is unavoidable at the present context, he said and opined that ongoing process for corporatization of the State's electricity Department with SBI Caps as the consultant would bring positive changes in the sector.

Mentioning fund provision of over Rs 80 crores for improvement and repairing of national highways in the State as well as fund allocations for development of inter-district and inter-village roads, he further highlighted ongoing construction works regarding remaining portion of the Civil Secretariat complex and mini secretariat complexes in Jiribam sub-division and Bishnupur and Chandel districts.

His speech also emphasised on accelerating projects concerning agricultural sector to ensure food sufficiency as well as preservation/protection of endangered wildlife.

With regard to public transport, Gurbachan reaffirmed Government's determination to complete the Jiribam-Imphal rail-line project within the specified deadline with priority on the Jiri-Tupul section.

London Olympics bronze medallist MC Mary Kom and her four other State-mates at the Games were also applauded by the Governor, who assured that pending sports-related projects including sports complexes in all five hill districts would be both initiated and expedited.