Cabinet to discuss drought situation today
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 16 2012: Taking serious note of the acute shortfalls in the seasonal rainfall this season, the State Cabinet has decided to a hold a meeting and deliberate on the drought like situation tomorrow.

This was stated by Chief Minister O Ibobi while inspecting the multipurpose theatre hall of Manipur Film Development Corporation Limited today.

Ibobi said a concrete decision would be adopted at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow after deliberating on the much reduced volume of rainfall received by the State so far and the resultant difficulties in cultivating paddy.

As for fertilizers for cultivation of paddy, the Government has already stockpiled 15 metric tonnes.

The rate of subsidy which would be given to farmers on fertilizers would be decided in the Cabinet meeting.

A parched paddy field

Stating that most of the oil pumps remain shut during the last couple of days, the Chief Minister claimed that there is no need to panic for shortage of fuel.

Oil pumps have started resuming their normal business, he said.

The Government has also made arrangements to provide potable water for two to three hours in the morning and from 4 to 5 in the afternoon in greater Imphal area.

Noting that water supply requires power supply, Ibobi informed that a joint meeting of PHED and Power Department will be held soon to ensure regular water supply.

So far, no rate has been fixed for hiring the multipurpose theatre hall of the Manipur Film Development Corporation.

Nevertheless, the rate would be decided very soon.

Noting that a few Manipuri films have won awards at the international level, Ibobi claimed that MFDC's multipurpose hall is fit for international film festivals.

Whereas the Government has initiated due procedures to frame a policy the Government is also considering to award incentives to film producers.

In addition to inspecting the 800 capacity multipurpose hall, the Chief Minister also made a direct assessment of the sound recording room, editing room, preview room, theatre room and library room.

Ahead of the inspection tour, a board meeting of the MFDC was held in the Chief Minister's office chamber with Ibobi in the chair.

The meeting was participated by the Finance Commissioner, the Revenue Commissioner, the Art and Culture Commissioner, Principal Secretary (Art and Culture), Art and Culture Director, film actor Lamja Tomba, Oken Amakcham and Surjakanta.

Agriculture Minister Md Abdul Nasir, MLA Prithiviraj and MLA K Meghachandra were also present at the meeting.

Notably, MFDC's multipurpose hall was constructed by the Manipur Development Society under SPA at the cost of Rs 14.41 crores.