Barak Fest to be held in line with Sangai,Lily fests from next edition : CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 22 2017: After the Shirui Lily Festival which concluded on May 20, Chief Minister N Biren today announced that from the next edition onward, Barak Festival will be held at the State level and topped this off by announcing that a sum of Rs 202 crore has been set aside to take up developmental works at Senapati district.

Addressing the gathering at the public ground at Senapati district headquarters today, the Chief Minister said that like the Sangai Festival and the recently concluded Shirui Lily Festival, Barak Festival will be held at the State level from the next edition.

Taking note of the efforts taken up by the Naga People's Organisation to preserve and save Barak river from further degradation, the Chief Minister said that it is with this aim that the NPO has been organising Barak Festival from 2013 .

It is therefore necessary for the public to understand the intrinsic meaning of holding the festival in its fourth edition, added Biren.

Taking note of the meaning behind holding the festival, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to all those responsible for holding the festival and said that it is a matter of pride that the people of Senapati are committed to protecting the river.

It is in taking cognizance of these factors that the State Government has today deemed it fit to announce that Barak Festival will be held at the State level along with Sangai Festival and Shirui Lily Festival from the next edition, added the Chief Minister.

For this year's edition, the Chief Minister announced an aid of Rs 50 lakh for the festival.

Touching on other subjects, the Chief Minister announced that a sum of Rs 301 crore has been set aside to repair and revamp the Imphal-Mao section of NH-2 The repairing and upgradation work will be taken up by the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) .

At the moment, under the 100 days programme of the BJP led Government, work to fill up the potholes along the highway has been initiated, he added.

The Tadubi-Tolloi stretch of the road will also be repaired by the NHIDCL at a cost of Rs 64 crore, added Biren.

Over and above this Rs 202 has been set aside for Senapati district to take up developmental works, announced the Chief Minister.

Out of this Rs 10 crore will be used for constructing a storeyed women's market at the district headquarters.

Referring to Ukhrul, the Chief Minister said that the land for constructing the women's market has been earmarked and added that a sign board inscribed in Tangkhul denoting the market place has already come up.

The Chief Minister urged the people of Senapati to identify and choose the spot for the women's market to come up.

N Biren explained that the State Government has already presented topographical need based budget to the Central leaders, including the Prime Minister and as a result a sum of Rs 150 crore was sanctioned.

Out of this, Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the hill districts, while the remaining will be utilised in the valley districts.

A sum of Rs 128 crore has also been set aside to construct a technological institute at Mayangkhang, he said and added that efforts would be put in to attract tourists to Dzuko valley.

Thiwa, Purul, Chakha and other village lying in the interior areas will be electrified informed the Chief Minister and added that high mast flood lamps will be installed at Senapati district headquarters as well as a sports complex.

The Chief Minister however said that the co-operation of the people of the district is needed to implement all what the Government has in mind for the district.

Acknowledging the achievement of Kario Isaac Maheo, the Chief Minister offered to appoint him as an SI in the State Police Department for emerging the champion in the Super Fight League Challengers.

Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar, Ministers L Dikho, N Kayisii, Parliamentary Secretaries Khashim Vashum, Awangbow Newmai, L Shushindro, S Subhaschandra, N Indrajit, H Dingo, MLAs Ngamthang Haokip, DD Thaisii and Sanasam Bira attended the opening day of the festival.

Senapati ADC Chairman, Members of the ADC and leaders of NPO were also present.

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