Imphal, April 13 2010: It was a historic day for Churachandpur district today.

Chief Minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi laid the foundation stones for three different infrastructure to be constructed at different locations at the cost of crores of rupees and inaugurated two very important infrastructure�one, All India Radio Churachandpur station and another, Autonomous District Council building.

The foundation stones which the Chief Minister, O Ibobi laid today were for the district sports complex at Tuibong, mini Secretariat complex, also at Tuibong and Food Corporation of India (FCI) godown at Thingkhangphai.

Chief Minister O Ibobi, who came in a chartered helicopter along with some of his Cabinet colleagues, first laid the foundation stone for the mini Secretariat complex at Tuibong.

Next he laid the foundation stone for the district sports complex at the Tuibong public ground.

The Chief Minister did not spend much time at the two places.

He did not speak either.

Then the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the FCI godown at Thingkhangphai a few kilometres from Churachandpur headquarter.

There he was called upon by the compere of the programme to speak a few words in connection with the occasion.

Speaking briefly at the function, Chief Minister Ibobi said that the government has been planning to have a godown of FCI constructed at Churachandpur for a long time now.

But due to lack of opportunity to sit together (with all Ministers and MLAs concerned of the district), the government could not translate the plans into reality.

The Chief Minister said, there are many programmes to be taken up in Churachandpur.

But because of the same problem, all time bound programmes could not be taken up.

Even the ADC office building which had been completed long time ago could not be inaugurated, even though the stone plaque for inauguration was fitted.

He said, the construction of the FCI godown will start on war footing.

This godown is not meant only for the people living near it, nor for the communities living in Churachandpur district only.

It is meant for all the people of Manipur.

If necessary, people from Imphal or Thoubal could come and take the food items from there, he said. After laying the foundation stone for the FCI godown, the Chief Minister along with his entourage went to the local radio station of Churachandpur where he formally inaugurated it.

After that, the Chief Minister inaugurated the office building of the Autonomous District Council located near the radio station.

Speaking at the function where a large number of people gathered, Chief Minister Ibobi said, earlier Rs 10 crore was earmarked for the mini Secretariat complex of which the foundation stone was laid today.

But later, the government decided to earmark Rs 40 crore.

Construction of the mini Secretariat is targetted to be completed within one year, but at the latest within two years, Chief Minister Ibobi said and appealed to the public to keep an eye on the progress of the work.

He further said that there are plans for construction of ADC buildings in all the hill districts.

The Department of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has also already sanctioned Rs 50 crore and the Finance Commission has also allotted anoher Rs 50 crore for the purpose of construction of ADC buildings.

Regarding the district sports complex, the Chief Minister said, the government will not wait for the funds to be released from the DoNER Ministry for it, and the government will start the construction with its own money.

It has been a long time since the government wanted to construct a godown for FCT at Churachandpur.

However, due to a lot of problems, the plan had to be delayed.

He appealed to the people to give up parochial thoughts and asked them not to treat a particular office building or an infrastructure as meant only for a particular community.

All infrastructure belong to all people irrespective of tribes and communities.

As regards the ceasework strike of the government employees, Ibobi said, the sixth pay scales would be paid from this month onward.

However, the government can not afford to pay the arrears as the JAC was demanding.

During the visit of the Chief Minister, Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, IPR Minister TN Haokip, TD Minister DD Thaisii, Works Minister K Ranjit, IFCD Minister N Biren, Outer MP Thangso Baite, MLAs T Manga Vaiphei, V Hangkhalian, T Hangkhanpao, Ngursanglur, former MLA Dr Chaltolien Amo, etc.

accompanied him.

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