Imphal, January 21 2010: Despite standing instructions, most of the officers of the state government including IAS officers failed to attain the official 39th Statehood day Function today. State celebrated the 39th statehood day today to remember the day on which Union government of India granted full-fledged statehood status to the then union territory.

The government function was held at the parade ground of the 1st Manipur Rifles, Imphal.

Most of the ministers, MLAs and government officers did not attend the Statehood Day function.

State chief minister who was to be the chief guest of the function was also absent as he is out of station on official business at New Delhi.

Official source here said, Chief Minister, O Ibobi was supposed to arrive at Imphal yesterday but his flight ticket was cancelled at the last minute of departure due to some pressing engagement in Delhi.

Three other ministers, besides Th Debendro and Ph Parijat, and five MLAs attend the Statehood Day function.

Keeping aside ministers and MLAs, most of the government officers, except Chief Secretary, DGP and some top brass of the state police and Central paramilitary forces, did not turn up despite strong instruction of the state government to attain of government organised state level function without fail.

State Chief Secretary, DS Poonia, on December 15 last year, issued an order to this effect when government was not satisfied over officers' representation in the Nupilal (Women War) observation on December 12, 2009 .

In the order, mention may be made, the Chief Secretary asked the officers even though they were not intimated or invited for the function, if any of them could not attend, he or she should give reason in written to the concern heads of the department.

In today's statehood day celebration function few ministers and MLAs and very few officers were present.

More than half of the chairs at the venue meant for ministers, MLAs and officers remained unoccupied till the end of the function.

In short, the audience was made up mostly of the media person.

State revenue, forest and environment minister, Th Debendro who graced the function as chief guest in place of Chief Minister said despite hindrances, Manipur is marching ahead in development front since attaining statehood.

He gave credit to the people for struggling for 23 long years to attain statehood.

Further, even though Manipur lacked behind other states in the development front, the state made a name for itself in the international arena in various fields like sport, cultures etc.

"With the celebration of the statehood day, let's re-affirm our commitment to work together in a spirit of oneness and push up state to take part in the global race of advancement" .

Health and family welfare minister, Ph Parijat presided over the function.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, by the effort of the people, state has become a full-fledged state of the country having its own law and decision making body (Assembly).

Likewise, let's join hand together to take the state forward towards progress and development.

The state has witnessed significant changes in the development front since attainment of statehood except in the field of industrialization, he said.

Comment