Manipur's struggle with underdevelopment: State Govt sees silver lining in IT-SEZ Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 20 2014:
Establishment of a special economic zone for information technology (IT-SEZ) would prove to be a major fillip to the State's ailing economy by way of opening job opportunities to thousands of unemployed youth of the State.
This would in turn act as a catalyst towards achieving peace and progress, Chief Minister O Ibobi exuded.
Ibobi was speaking on a road show on IT-SEZ Manipur held in the Sangai Hall of Hotel Imphal today.
The road show was jointly organised by the State's Department of Information Technology, FALTA-SEZ Kolkata and the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.
Apart from the Chief Minister, Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Parliamentary Secretary (IT) Victor Kei-shing, Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, FALTA-SEZ Kolkata Zonal Development Commissioner Sanjeev Nand-wani.
Principal Secretary (IT) Dr Rajesh Kumar and Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industries) L Lakher were also present at the road show.
IT-SEZ is one among many mega projects taken up by the Government of India in Manipur.
Speaking at the gathering, Chief Minister O Ibobi exuded that the new project of IT-SEZ Manipur would open vast opportunities and provide jobs to unemployed youths in private firms, and this would considerably reduce hankering after Government jobs.
Moreover, talented and resource Manipuri people who are now working in different cities of India and abroad may get an opportunity to come back to their home State.
In the long run, the special economic zone would prove to be a major contributor towards socio-economic uplift-ment of Manipur.
The unrest seen in Manipur today would calm down on its own when the youth find jobs in different sectors, said Ibobi adding that private entrepreneurs would benefit a lot from the IT-SEZ.
Stating that the Government would take up special initiatives so as to propel the State's IT sector to a higher level where it can compete with the global standard, Ibobi assured that the proposed IT-SEZ would be provided 24 hours power supply in a day and there would be no shortage of potable water.
Educational institutions of highest standards would be set up within the special economic zone for imparting education to children of families working in the IT-SEZ.
Ibobi then reiterated his Government's commitment to develop Manipur as a popular tourist destination of international repute.
Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam remarked that such an initiative is a windfall for all the people of Manipur.
He too confided that many resourceful Manipuris currently working outside the State would come home once the IT-SEZ Manipur is commissioned.
Sanjeev Nandwani said that the IT-SEZ Manipur would enable the State to market its various unique products outside the State with handsome profit margins.
Once IT-SEZ Manipur is transformed into a reality, it would certainly boost cross-border trade with Myanmar and other foreign countries to new heights.
By then, Manipur would have' the capability to export its varied agricultural and horticultural produces to neighbouring States and foreign countries.
In addition, IT-SEZ Manipur would provide jobs to thousands of youth and private entrepreneurs are the ones who would get the maximum benefit from the special economic zone, Sanjeev Nandwani said.
FALTA-SEZ Assistant Development Commissioner SN-Chakraborty said that the IT-SEZ Manipur being taken up at the behest of Chief Minister O Ibobi would open new opportunities for trade and commerce in much bigger volume.
Victor Keisbing said that the IT-SEZ Manipur would propel the State's IT sector to new heights.
Any disruptive or subversive activities against such projects would only delay development of Manipur, said Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga.
The gathering ended with an interaction session between officials and private entrepreneurs.
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