Imphal, December 18: The Fourth State Level Orange Festival began from today at the Public ground of Tamenglong district headquarters with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh announcing various developmental works to be implemented in the district.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Manipur Assembly Speaker TN Haokip attended the inaugural function of the festival being organised under the theme of 'Peace and Prosperity' for two days as chief guest and president respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Minister admitted that the State Government has not been able to take up develop-' mental works in Tamenglong district due to paucity of funds.

"But from now on special attention would be paid to redress the grievances of the people with regard to lack of Medicare, education, power and water supply and road and communication facilities," he said.

A development programme for the district has also been charted out, he added.

To improve condition of road communication in the district, Tamei-Kuilong road would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 79.83 lakhs as well as the IT road at an estimated cost of Rs 99.99 lakhs, Ibobi said.

Besides these, the State Government has also formulated plan for improving the condition of inter-village roads at an estimated cost of Rs 75 lakhs.

As part of Public Administration Block development scheme, the Government kept aside adequate fund for developing/improving Mini Secretariat at Tamenglong district headquarters and the offices of SDC, SDO and staff quarters, the Chief Minister informed.

He also stated that the Government would pay special attention to improvement of health care facilities in the district.

In this regard, the condition of the existing District Hospital would be improved and all the necessary medical equipments like X-ray machines, etc would be provided, he said.

For development of agriculture in the district, the Chief Minister pledged to convert the 45 km long road from Khongshang to Barak River as agriculture road.

The project is expected to cost Rs 868 lakhs, he said.

In the domain of education, the Chief Minister said that the Government has kept aside an amount of Rs 219 lakhs for construction of 34 additional rooms in ten different high schools in the district.

Moreover, there is also the plan for construction of three higher secondary schools at an estimated cost of Rs 785.15 lakhs.

Promising adequate water supply to the people of the district, the CM said once the Composite Water Supply Scheme being taken at Tamenglong district at an estimated cost of Rs 470 lakhs is commissioned, the problem of lack of water would be thing of the past.

Ibobi also presented cash awards of Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively to the first three winners of Best Grower Award.

Before inaugural of the festival, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh laid the foundation stone for the proposed Tamenglong Government Higher Secondary School to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crores under RSVY.

He also laid the foundation stone for a Rs 4.7 crores composite water supply scheme at Tamenglong Headquarters under NLCPR.

In his presidential address, Speaker TN Haokip said despite its underdevelopment, Tamenglong is one of the districts which is endowed with rich natural resources.

He also stressed on the need for organising such State level Orange Festival not only at Tamenglong but also in other parts of the State.

Horticulture Minister Gaikhangam gave the key note address and the MLA Z Mangaibou the vote of thanks.

PHE Minister K Govindas and Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa were also present at the occasion as guests of honour.

Cultural dances of the Kabui tribe were presented at the occasion.

Along with the Orange festival, a Handloom and handicraft exhibition is also being organised at the festival venue.

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