Go to Hills 2.0: CM inaugurates multiple projects
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, September 10 2021: Continuing with the State Government's initiative of door-to-door delivery of services and benefits of various welfare schemes to people of hill districts, Chief Minister N Biren Singh today visited Chakpikarong, Chandel district in connection with the Go to Hills 2.0 Mission to Chandel and Tengnoupal districts.

The programme was organised by the district administration, Chandel at Chakpikarong Public Ground.

At the occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated various infrastructural and developmental projects for Chandel and Tengnoupal districts.

The projects consisted of District Transport Office, Chandel, development works at the historical site of Ibudhou Wangbrel, PSA Oxygen Plants of 500 LPM at Chandel and 250 LPM at Tengnoupal, 250 LPM PSA Oxygen Plant (PMCARES) of sub-district hospital, Moreh, Sajik Tampak PHC building, Geriatic ward at Chandel district hospital, institutional building at PHC Sajik Tampak, Sadbhavna Man-dap at Khengjoy, augmen- tation of water supply scheme at Kapaam (Komlathabi) (0.050 MLD), retrofitting of water supply scheme at L Bongjol (0.015 MLD), Modi (0.015 MLD) and Tuikong (0.007 MLD), augmentation of water supply scheme at Kwatha (0.032 MLD), Saibol (0.032 MLD), Khudei Khullen (0.032 MLD), Aimol Kombirei (0.032 MLD) and Kangsang and its surrounding areas (0.08 MLD), Culture Preservation and Promotion Centre at Moldennom village and Guest House at Saivom village, Tengnoupal district etc.

Go to Hills 2.0: CM inaugurates multiple projects

He also laid foundation stones for five projects which would be taken up under different departments at the cost of Rs 29.58 crore.

The projects are construction of 100 ft bailey bridge over Khaoidung on the road from New Somtal to Moreh, construction of road from T06-Sugnu Tribal to Thungcheng via Christian School, construction of 60 ft bailey bridge over Chayang Sanathong Lok on the road from Leingang Ching to Chothe, construction of 150 ft bailey bridge (TSR) over Chakpi River at Mantri Pantha, Chandel district and Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Beru Pam, Wangkhera village, Chandel.

Addressing the gathering, N Biren expressed thankfulness to the people gathered at the Chakpi-karong Public Ground for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and other officials on their visit to the district.

Recalling the very day when he announced the Go to Hills Mission for the first time on March 15, 2017, he stated that he had always thought of the necessity of different communities living together with mutual respect since his early days as a politician.

He also added that the State Government had been setting up various infrastructures such as setting up of oxygen plants, trauma centres etc, in hill districts considering the hardship faced by the people while accessing healthcare facilities earlier.

Maintaining that the State Government had always been working within the ambit of the Constitution of India, Biren urged the public to give constructive criticism with regard to any activities of the Government and refrain from negative views hindering developmental works taken up for the welfare of the public.

He continued that the Go to Hills 2.0 had been organised to deliver the benefits of certain welfare schemes to the beneficiaries directly to their doorsteps, easing the hardship faced by the beneficiaries in accessing the benefits by avoiding middleman who would take away certain shares of the benefits wrongfully.

The Government is planning to achieve coverage of tap water supply to 80 percent households of the State by the end of this year, he added.

He informed that projects worth Rs 534.47 crore are going on in Chandel and Tengnoupal districts which are set to be completed by the year end while projects worth Rs 425.55 crore had already been completed.

He assured that the Government would bring out a white paper on the funds invested in every hill district during the last 10 years very soon.

He further informed that a coaching class for UPSC Civil Services Examination would be conducted soon at State Academy of Training, Takyelpat with a total cost of around Rs 2.8 crore where faculties from Delhi will directly come to the State and take classes and added that aspirants from hill districts should also take benefits of the coaching class.

Regarding the proposed Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021 he informed that the Government is thoroughly discussing the Bill and added that the Government also aims to give more autonomy to Autonomous Districts Councils, within the ambit of the Indian Constitution for the welfare and development of the people of hill region.

On the issue of delimitation, he stated that delimitation is outside the purview of the State Government but assured that the State Government would put its best effort so that the Central Government may not take any step which would hurt the interest of any section of people by the delimitation process.

Works Minister Thongam Biswajit, while delivering his speech, stated that the Government is tirelessly working for the welfare of the people and has implemented various welfare schemes for inclusive development.

The Government has also bridged the emotional and developmental gap between hills and valley of the State.

Stating that there is peace and development in the State under the present regime, he stressed that bandhs and blockades are a thing of the past.

During the programme, the Chief Minister distributed benefits of various schemes including pre-matric scholarships to 435 students and post-matric scholarships to 5,220 students of the two districts; smartphones to students of Moreh College, SEMCO, Chandel and United College, Chandel under Chief Minister College Maheiroi E-support Scheme; COVID-19 Livelihood Support Scheme to 183 beneficiaries.

He also distributed free LPG connection under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, old age pension under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, CGI sheets to 70 beneficiaries, sewing machines and carpentry tool kits under Tribal Affairs and Hills among others.

Biren also launched a blood bank and tele-Cardiology project at Chandel district hospital; training and capacity building for tribal youths on livelihood generation and entrepreneurship skill development.

Minister for YAS Letpao Haokip, Minister for Education S Rajen Singh, Minister for TA&H Vungzagin Valte, Minister for Agriculture O Lukhoi, Additional Chief Secretaries, Administrative Secretaries and other high ranking civil and police officials and public of both the districts were present at the function.