Governor's address to the State Legislative Assembly 24x7 power supply by March 2017 assured
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19 2016 : Addressing the 13th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, Governor V Shanmuganathan today laid down the agenda of the State Government for all round development and delivery of good governance to the people residing in both the hills and valley.

It is along this line that the people will get 24�7 power supply from by March 2017, added the Governor.

'Equitable and inclusive development, with secular ideals, has been the guiding values of my Government,' said the Governor.

Drawing the roadmap to make Manipur a peaceful and prosperous State with all communities living harmoniously, the Governor stressed on harnessing the potential benefits of the Act East Policy of the Government of India and detailed the policy and programmes of the State Government.

Governor's address to the State Legislative Assembly :: Pix -DIPR

Power reforms .

The Governor said that by March 2016, the people shall be getting better power throughout the day and added that efforts are on to provide 24�7 power supply by March 2017 .

"I am happy to inform that the earlier constraint faced by Manipur in drawing power through inter-State transmission line has been removed with the operationalization of 400 KV D/C Transmission Line (initially charged at 132 KV) from Silchar to Imphal during March 2015," he added.

In view of the quantum of future power demand, State Government has taken up construction of a new 400/132 KV Sub-station at Thoubal Khunou.

In the past 1-2 years, a number of 132 KV, 33 KV Power Sub Stations have been constructed and made operational in power deficient areas of the State, informed the Governor.

Law and Order .

The security environment in Manipur has been extremely delicate since the last few decades, observed the Governor and added that the State police has been able to keep the law and order situation under control and maintain public order despite various constraints, said the Governor.

Manipur Police, with the help of the Army/CPMF/AR, has been able to curb the activities of the UGs to a large extent.

The Manipur Fire Department continues to serve the people of Manipur and save precious lives and preserve valuable properties.

The State Government has sanctioned for opening of new 6 (six) Fire Sub-Stations at Noney in Tamenglong district, Saikul & Tadubi in Senapati district, Yairipok & Wangjing in Thoubal district and Nambol in Bishnupur district and creation of 126 posts in different categories for the Sub-Stations.

Video conferencing facility between Jail and on line Courts will be installed shortly at Manipur Central Jail, Imphal and Sajiwa, he added.

Planning & State Finances.

On planning and State finances, the Governor informed the House that inspite of pressure on Government resources due to restructuring of seven Central assistance to the State Plan, the State Government has been able to maintain a stable fiscal environment.

The year 2014-15 closed with a fiscal deficit of (-) 3.7% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), he said and added that the State Government has been successful in reducing the outstanding fiscal liabilities relative to GSDP which have consistently declined from over 60% in 2010-11 to 45% in 2014-15 .

The 14th Finance Commission gave an unfavourable dispensation to Manipur, he said and detailed that the total revenue transfer to the State under the 14th FC Award is Rs 35,105 crore for the period 2015-20 .

This is much below the actual required projection of Rs 43,731 crore proposed by the State Government under Non-Plan alone.

"Though our resources are limited, there is need to step up public expenditure to sustain the growth momentum posing a major challenge to fiscal management in the near term," he added.

The Governor also gave the gist of Food and Civil Supplies, Education, Agriculture and Allied Sector and Natural Resources, Forest, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Sericulture, Irrigation, Horticulture and Soil Conversation, Pisciculture, Justice Delivery, Health and Family Welfare, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Public Works and Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Infrastructure, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Social Welfare, Minorities' Welfare, Labour Welfare/Employment, Commerce and Industries, Information Technology, Transport and Connectivity, Youth Affairs and Sports, Art and Culture, Tourism, Economics and Statistics, Election and Publicity.