Poumai Thounii 2018 : CM promises heritage complex
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, January 05 2018: Chief Minister N Biren Singh today announced that a heritage complex of the Poumai community would be developed by the State Government at Saranamei village, the oldest Pouimai village to preserve and protect the historical elements and antique items associated with the community Biren was speaking at the Poumai Thounii 2018 cum reception of the Chief Minister held at Thingba Khunou (Shomai) village in Senapati district today.

The function was jointly organised by Poumai Naga Union (PNU) and Thingba Khunou (Shomai) village, Senapati.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, the Chief Minister said that the Government had begun providing assistance to differently abled persons and skilled persons through different schemes.

Poumai Thounii 2018 : CM promises heritage complex

The Chief Minister urged the skilled persons to submit applications for assistance from the Government.

The Chief Minister further informed that the Government would launch two different welfare schemes on the Statehood Day of Manipur that falls on January 21.He said that 'Hakshelgi Tengbang' (Manipur Health Protection Scheme) will be launched on the day and it would become functional from the next day.

The scheme would provide cashless benefit of up to Rs 2 lakh per year per BPL/AAY/poor family on floater basis.

The benefit would be applicable on hospitalization procedure only.

Under the scheme, a patient or the party need not carry cash for treatment at Government hospitals, he said while adding that the Government would pay the hospital bills on behalf of the patients.

Moreover, 10 well equipped ambulances would be put in service at hill district headquarters from this day onwards in order to reduce the inconveniences faced by the people of hill and interior areas in bringing patients to health centres and hospitals, he said.

The Chief Minister further added that Rs 11 crore had been earmarked to construct a guest house for the Chiefs of different villages of hill districts inside the complex of Royal Palace at Imphal.

Moreover, opening of different guest houses for all the communities at Imphal would be considered with all seriousness once the Government finalises the process of acquiring 1000 acres as a land bank of the State Government at Nongmaiching area, he added.

The Chief Minister also assured the Poumai people to consider the demand for declaring Poumai Thounii as a restricted holiday of the State.

He also assured to put forward the request of broadcasting programmes in Poumai dialect between 6:20 pm to 6:50 pm in All India Radio, Imphal to the authority concerned.

Expressing his strong desire to take up some developmental activities for the Poumai people as a New Year's gift to the community, he requested the leaders of the community to prepare a representation taking all the inadequacies of all the Poumai people into account and submit it to the Government.

He added that the Chief Minister's office would send response for all the representations/memoranda submitted to him through the concerned DC and community leaders.

While delivering presidential address, Minister for PWD, IPR, RD&PR Th Biswajit Singh said "We need to improve our road connectivity, water supply, communication and uninterrupted power supply to bring inclusive development in the State." The Government is trying its best to improve road connectivity in hill areas of the State, he added.

Mentioning about the various welfare schemes such as PMAY, Saubhagya etc, the Minister said that the Government has already directed the DCs to organise awareness campaign to inform about the existing welfare schemes so that people can avail the benefits of the schemes.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government is committed to deliver good, responsive and transparent governance to the people, he added.

Various cultural songs and dances were presented during the function.

On the occasion, the dignitaries were presented traditional shawls and gifts.

Minister for Tribal Affairs and Hills N Kayasii, Minister for PHED Losii Dikho, Chairman, ADC Senapati ML Markson, president of Poumai Naga Union (PNU) L Soloni Pao, Principal Secretary to CM Vineet Joshi, Media Advisor to CM Arun Irengbam, members of ADC Senapati and others attended the function.

It may be mentioned that Poumai Thounii is the biggest traditional festival of Poumai community.