Imphal, February 09 2010: Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Salman Khurshid today laid the foundation stones for an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) for minorities and 10 water supply schemes in Lilong areas of Thoubal District, where 30 percent of minority Muslims of Manipur are settled.

The proposed ITI specially for the minorities is to be constructed with a fund of Rs 7.91 crore under Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) for the welfare of minorities under Union Ministry of Minority Affairs while the 10 water supply schemes are to be constructed at a total cost of Rs 400 lakh.

The ITI to be established here is one of the six institutes of same kind which would be constructed under Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) for the welfare of Minorities under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

Centre will fund 90 percent of the total cost of Rs 400 lakh for the construction of water supply schemes while the rest 10 percent is to be borne by state government as state matching share.

The water supply schemes will be located at Singa, Konuma, Phundrei, Sangaiyumpham ward 1 and 2, Sora, Phoudel, Moijing, Leingoiching and Chingkham Makha villages.

The schemes are targeted for completion within a year of commencement of construction works.

State Chief Minister, O Ibobi, State Minority and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Md Allauddin, State Labour Minister, Ph Parijat and State PHED minister, TN Haokip also attended the foundation lying ceremony at Lilong Mairen village in Thoubal district.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minority Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid expressed that the schemes are to be taken up giving emphasis to the minority communities settling in the state under an initiative of the UPA government at the Centre.

He said, not only the minorities but general people will also benefit from the institute.

To be able to establish such an institute in the Lilong area of Manipur where 30 percent of the minority Muslim is concentrated is a landmark achievement of the UPA government towards the minority, he said.

"It was a lucky one for the minorities of the state of Manipur that Thoubal district has been included in the list of the six districts of the country as minorities concentrated area.

The Centre has earmarked Rs 700 crores for taking up welfare programmes for the minorities of the country.

Under the earmarked funds, his ministry will take up various welfare schemes in six districts identified as minority settled areas, he assured.

State Chief Minister, O Ibobi, speaking on the occasion, urged the people of the area to extend cooperation for timely completion of development of infrastructure of the institute.

The authority is targeting to complete the developmental works in a year.

Observing that 90 percent of people living in Lilong Assembly constituency are Muslims, the Chief Minister said because of this Centre agreed to establish the ITI here in Lilong Mairen Khul.

Every individual of the area should see to it that there are no disturbances in the construction of the ITI.

Not just the institute but the place itself could be developed as tourist spot, he urged.

The institute will provide jobs not only to the minorities but also to the general category people.

It will also help in generation of the self employment to the youths, he added.

Mention may be made that half of the approved amount for this ITI had already been released as the first installment to the state government.

The authority is targeting to complete the construction works in a year and start academic session from next year.

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