CM reaches out with 'summer capital', will do away with net ban in 4/5 days time call
Ukhrul hosts Cabinet meeting for second time since 2019
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, October 18 2023: For the second time since the coming of the BJP led Government in 2017, Ukhrul hosted a Cabinet meeting with Chief Minister N Biren Singh in the chair today.

This is the first time that the Cabinet meeting was taken to Ukhrul durng the time of the BJP 2.0 led Government.

For the first time, Ukhrul hosted a Cabinet meeting on June 5, 2019 under CM N Biren Singh.

Not unexpectedly two of the Kuki-Chin MLAs in the Cabinet-Textile, Commerce, Industry and Cooperation Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Tribal Affairs Minister Letpao Haokip stayed away from the Cabinet meeting citing the current crisis.

While a whole lot of MLAs in the ruling front travelled to Ukhrul today, all the 10 Kuki-Chin MLAs stayed away.

CM reaches out with 'summer capital', will do away with net ban in 4/5 days time call

Earlier, the 10 Kuki MLAs also did not attend the last Assembly Session held on August 29 citing security reasons.

They had reportedly said that they did not feel safe travelling to Imphal amid the current crisis.

However, this time, the Cabinet meeting was held in Ukhrul district headquarters which is not affected by the current violence.

Ukhrul is more than 80 Kms away from Imphal.

The Cabinet meeting was held at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner's office in the morning.

Later in the day, CM N Biren Singh inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various projects worth Rs 64.38 crore for Ukhrul and Kamjong district.

After the Cabinet meeting at the DC's conference hall today, Chief Minister N Biren Singh attended a public function at the Mini Secretariat Complex, Ukhrul.

The Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers were given a warm welcome at a reception ceremony at Hungpung Village.

Addressing the public function at the Mini Secretariat, the Chief Minister said Ukhrul district will be developed into a "Summer Capital" as a priority.

The Chief Minister added that mobile internet service will be resumed after 4/5 days.

Ukhrul's population is growing and it is an important town after Imphal.

The district should also be a major part of the vision for North East and development programmes meant for Manipur under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.

The CM mulled the idea of developing a new Ukhrul township near Sirarakhong and urged the people to consider it.

During the meeting today, the State Cabinet approved creation of a SDC office at Paoyi village and Tolloi police station, he said.

The main concern for the people in Ukhrul at present is water scarcity, and the first priority of the Government is to solve this problem, said N Biren Singh.

To solve the issue of water scarcity, Rs 6 crore has been sanctioned for augmentation of water supply of Ukhrul Town, he said.

A dam at Shirui at a cost of Rs 180�200 crore to supply water to the whole of Ukhrul district will be constructed on priority, he said, seeking the support of the people, CSOs and MLAs and urging them to remove all obstacles so that the construction of the dam can be completed without any problem.

N Biren said the second priority of his Government is to complete construction of Imphal-Ukhrul road.

The Chief Minister hinted that he has fulfilled assurances and commitment he gave to the people of Ukhrul during his last visit.

Had the Government not delivered the assurances or commitments given during his visits in 2017-18, he would not have been able to return today, said the CM.

This Government was chosen by the people, and it will deliver all assurances or commitments given to the people, he said.

On the mobile internet ban currently imposed in the whole of the State, N Biren said the service may be restored within 4-5 days.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh also spoke on the relation between the Tangkhuls and the Meiteis.

N Biren said, "Our history should not be distorted nor kept aside.

We were divided because of political interference for sometime, but we are now gradually starting to understand each other.

We must uphold our ancestral relationship of being brothers" .

The new generation of all indigenous people should live together in peace, he said, stating that a heritage museum dedicated to Meitei and Tangkhul history will be constructed at Hungpung.

Later in the day, N Biren Singh laid the foundation for construction of Hao Heritage Centre at Hungpung.

In health related sector, Rs 12.5 crore has been approved for construction of a Nursing College in Ukhrul, he said and assured that the district will be given first priority when opening medical colleges in the future.

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that his Government aims to set up at least one medical college in each district.

Around 1.5 lakh youths have been affected by drugs.

To address this issue, Rs 5 crore has been approved to open Drug Rehabilitation Centres under the Social Welfare Department, he said.

He appreciated the CSO leaders and village chiefs of Ukhrul for their anti-drug campaigns, and for supporting the Government's War on Drugs.

He further stated that the Government has given the green light for construction of a cold storage in the district.

The Chief Minister said the Go to Hills Mission was launched to bridge the gap between the hills and the valley so that unity and equal development could be brought in the State.

During the function, Chief Minister N Biren Singh handed over appointment letters to 26 individuals for the Autonomous District Council office under die in harness scheme.

On behalf of Ukhrul and Kamjong district, MLA Ram Muivah thanked the Chief Minister and his Government for bringing many developmental projects for the people of the two districts.

He requested and urged the Chief Minister to resume the celebration of Shirui Lily Festival.

The projects for which foundation stones were laid today include construction of a Bailey Bridge over Challou River at Poi Village, construction of road from NH-202 to Halang Village circular road, improvement of inter village circular road at New Tusom Christian village.

Other projects include construction of PHSC Phungcham and Shirui under PM ABHIM; construction of Type IV, III and Type II police quarters at Ukhrul, Chingai, Jessami, Shangshak, Somdal and Litan PS under MHPC Ltd; construction of Government children homes at Ukhrul under Engg Cell Health and Family Welfare; Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) under MSPCL; construction of Cultural Centre cum Multipurpose Building in Ukhrul; and upliftment of integrated farming of Huishu village under NEC.

The Chief Minister also handed over 20 various projects to the people of Ukhrul.

The projects include Women's Hostel and Girls' Hostel at Ukhrul Headquarters and Paoyi Chingai Village under MOBEDS; PHSC building at TUSOM CV, Ngainga Chingai, and Ringui Lungchong Maiphei under MOBEDS.

Other projects include school building and sanitation complex for boys and girls at Sirarakhong, Ngachonmi, Ringui Ayotang, Ringui Ramhon and Paorei Primary School.

The CM also inaugurated Guest House at Shirui; Geriatric Ward at District Hospital Ukhrul; Barrack type quarters at PHC Lambui; Augmentation of water supply scheme at Yaolen village, Paoyi Azingtang village, Chingjaroi CV, Leiyaram village, Tora Khunou, and Lungreiphung village under PHED; and an Open Gym at Ukhrul under YAS.

The function was attended by Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai, MAHUD Minister Y Khemchand, Health Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh, Social Welfare Minister H Dingo Singh, PHE Minister L Susindro Meitei, Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh, HAC Chairman Dinganglung Gangmei, MLA Ram Muivah, MLA Kh Joykisan, MLA Th Shyamkumar, MLA Janghemlung Pamei, MLA J Kumo Sha, MLA Ibomcha, MLA Ashabuddin, MLA L Shanti and MLA Leishiyo Keishing.

Chief Secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, Deputy Commissioner Ukhrul Zuringla Kengoo, District Level Officers, members of several CSOs, village chiefs, Church leaders and public attended the event.

The people and CSOs submitted various memoranda to the Chief Minister and Ministers concerned.