CM lays foundation stones for over 1000 projects
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, August 28 2020: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has laid foundation stones for 375 surface minor irrigation schemes, 550 ground water irrigation schemes and 151 infrastructure projects to be taken up in different districts through video conference at a function held at City Convention Centre here today.

These projects are to be taken up with financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs at a total estimated cost of Rs 647 crore.

Deputy Commissioners of different districts unveiled the plaques of foundation stones at the respective sites on behalf of the Chief Minister.

CM lays foundation stones for over 1000 projects

Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar, CAF&PD Minister Karam Shyam, Water Resources Minister Letpao Haokip, Forest & Environment Minister Awangbow Newmai, MPs RK Ranjan and Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs and high ranking officials of the State Government also attended the function.

Speaking at the function as chief guest, N Biren said that the present State Government has successfully taken up various key developmental works within a short span of around three years and a half.

Go to Village, Go to Hills, Meeyamgi Numit and Hill Leaders' Day had enabled the Government to identify the people's needs and wishes, he said.

The Chief Minister said that he had instructed the officials and work agencies concerned to complete all the projects for foundation stones have been laid today by August next year.

Maintaining that there is need for enhancement of irrigation facilities to be self-reliant in food production, Biren said the State Government had revived 250 defunct lift irrigation schemes when the State faced drought last time.

Though the Minor Irrigation Department was a little known department in the past, it has started playing a key role in enhancing irrigation facilities ever since the new Government was installed, the Chief Minister said.

Biren also said that out of the 151 infrastructure projects for which foundation stones were laid today, many residential schools, working women's hostels and medical facilities are included.

Stating that people spend huge amount of money in children's education, the Chief Minister expressed hope that people would not need not to send their children to Imphal or outside the State for education once these residential schools start functioning.

Mentioning about other works, the Chief Minister also said that a guest house for the village chiefs of different districts of Manipur would be constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 7 crore inside Royal Palace complex, Imphal.

He also informed that Barak and Makru bridges along Imphal-Jiribam highway would be completed by December this year.

Projects which are to be taken up by the Minority Affairs Department with financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Minorities under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram include six model residential schools in Chandel, Tengnoupal, Pherzawl, Jiribam, Kangpokpi and Kamjong districts, two PHCs (worth Rs 142.42 lakh each) in Thoubal and Senapati districts, 21 PHSCs (worth Rs 66.53 lakh each) in Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati, Thoubal and Tamenglong districts, nine staff quarters for health professionals, patient waiting rooms, in-patient department and medical staff rooms, one gallery and sports complex (worth Rs 2.79 crore) in Noney district, one natural football ground (worth Rs 3.29 crore) in Tamenglong district, one public library and information centre (worth Rs 0.45 crore) in Tamenglong district, 74 school buildings with toilet in minority concentrated districts of the State, two working women's hostels (worth Rs 11.30 crore each) in Imphal East, eight working women's hostels (worth 11.30 crore each) in Chandel, Pherzawl, Jiribam, Senapati, Noney, Tamenglong, Kamjong and Ukhrul districts, three hostels (worth Rs 1.03 crore each) in Thoubal, Churachandpur and Chandel districts, 15 hostels (worth Rs 2.50 crore each) in Chandel, Imphal East, Kangpokpi, Thoubal, Ukhrul, Jiribam and Tengnoupal districts.

375 surface minor irrigation schemes and 550 ground water irrigation schemes will be implemented by the Department of Minor Irrigation under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana - Har Khet Ko Pani (PMKSY- HKKP) with financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for a river lift irrigation scheme with lined canal and a working women's hostel at Kyamgei Mamang Leikai in Imphal East district.