CM gets candid on law and order, power supply
Ibobi spells out agenda as CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 10 2012: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi who is into the third successive term in office has asserted that he would not hesitate to sacrifice his own life for betterment of the State's law and order situation, if required.

In an exclusive talk with The Sangai Express today, Ibobi lamented that the Government is unable to implement development programmes smoothly or expeditiously on account of the law and order problem.

Had it not been for the law and order problem, Manipur can certainly make significant strides towards prosperity, he added.

Stating that the core of the law and order problem is presence of plethora of armed groups, Ibobi appealed to all the militant groups to come to the negotiating table so that all differences and grievances can be discussed across the table.

In a democratic set-up, dialogue is the best means to thrash out all differences and disagreements.

Violence cannot be the solution to any problem and the State Government always has its doors wide open for dialogue, the Chief Minister stated.

Ibobi taking oath as CM for the third time

The State Government would take up all necessary measures without any reservation if any rebel group is willing to come forward for dialogue either with the State Government or the Union Government or with both the State and Union Governments.

Reiterating that if the parties in conflict can come to an understanding through dialogue, he said that development works can be executed expeditiously.

"To bring peace through dialogue, I'm ready to sacrifice anything, even life, if required", declared Ibobi.

Pointing out that all the rebels of the State are sons of the soil and brothers, the Chief Minister called upon one and all to work collectively and make Manipur a peaceful and progressive State.

Just as the public and the Government abhor violence committed by UG groups, the UG groups themselves would not be happy with their own activities.

If the acts of violence continue further, the Union Government would certainly come down heavily.

Reminding that AFSPA was repealed from seven Assembly segments of Manipur much against the Centre's stiff opposition to the same move, Ibobi stated that the Government was planning to repeal the same Act from all over Manipur in phases, provided the law order situation improves to the desired level.

Talking about the present power situation, Ibobi claimed that the Government has been working to ensure power supply for 20 hours a day to some areas of the State, if not the whole State.

The Government is working to ensure power supply for 20 hours a day in greater Imphal area and headquarters of other districts.

The target for next year is to ensure power supply round the clock in the above mentioned areas.

Noting that electricity has evolved into an inalienable part of human life, the Chief Minister pledged to leave no stone unturned in his efforts to ensure decent power supply to the people of Manipur.

Informing that due process was underway to privatise the Power Department with the objective of ameliorating the power woes, Ibobi conveyed that a detailed report about all the existing assets of Electricity Department has been sent to SBI Cap.

SBI Cap would soon come out with a report on whether the Electricity Department should be fully privatised and handed over to a private company or should be run jointly by the Government and a private company as a joint venture.

Even if the department is privatised, interests of the existing employees would not be compromised.

Their pension benefits and other entitlements would not be affected, Ibobi assured.

However, the present manner of working where one can attend or stay off office according to his/her whim would not be permissible once the department is privatised.

He said that Kongba power sub-station would be commissioned on September 19.All areas covered by the sub-station would be provided the facility of billing and tax payment through internet.

Regarding water supply, Ibobi informed that a mega project would be taken up soon which can ensure regular water supply to every nook and corner of greater Imphal area.

The Prime Minister has already agreed in principle to divert water from Thoubal Dam for treatment in a reservoir and subsequent distribution to the people of greater Imphal.

Some central leaders suggested that the project can be taken up with assistance from the Government of Japan but the Prime Minister was told that Japan was not much interested to invest in North East including Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir.

At this, the Prime Minister assured that the required fund would be arranged from Special Central Assistance and other sources.

As pipelines would be laid from Maphou Dam to Imphal, all the water pipes laid earlier in between would be replaced under the new project.

As a part of the project, a huge reservoir would be constructed.

It is estimated that the reservoir would cost around Rs 130 crores.

In addition to the existing (water supply) schemes, more schemes would be taken up to ensure potable water supply all over the State.

Talking about Imphal-Jiribam highway, the Chief Minister stated that additional pressure would be exerted on BRO.

Notably, Chief Minister O Ibobi has expressed his displeasure over the manner BRO has been working on the highway on more than one occasion.

Stating that his Government has been paying special attention to transport infrastructure, Ibobi claimed that the Government has been planning to develop all important roads in both the hills and valley, and also to construct new roads where necessary.

Coming to Jiri-Tupul raiIway line which would eventually connect with Imphal, Ibobi exuded that the project would be completed within the stipulated period.

Notably, it was targeted that the railway line should reach Tupul in 2014 and Imphal in 2016 .

The railway line would have a bridge which would be higher than Qutub Minar on the way to Tupul and it pass through a tunnel which would be 11 Kms long.