CM campaigns at Ukhrul district
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 11 2009: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who is also in charge of the finance has announced that the pending salary of employees working under various Government Departments for the month of March would be released by the Government on April 13 .

Addressing an election rally of the Congress candidate in the Outer seat Thangso Baite at Tangkhul Naga Long ground in Ukhrul district headquarters, Ibobi said it was thought that the salary of the employees for the month of March had been released while being engrossed in election related activities.

However, when the matter became to light, the State Government has taken up the decision of releasing the pending salary on April 13 .

CM O Ibobi addresses an election rally in Ukhrul district HQs

Vouching that the benefit of the Central 6th Pay Commission may be made applicable to the employees of the State Government as well as in view of same nature of work being performed, the Chief Minister assured that efforts would be made to implement along with the award of the 13th Finance Commission due in 2010 .

So the employees do not have to wait for long, he added.

The Chief Minister explained that his announcement on releasing the pending salary and assurance on implementation of 6th Pay Commission has been necessitated in view of the allegations being raised at various public meetings held in Ukhrul district over the alleged failure of the Government on these counts.

Speaking of developmental works being taken up by the Congress led SPF Government in Ukhrul district, Ibobi mentioned ongoing work in connection with setting up of a power sub-station at Hundung, construction of a 100 bedded hospital at Ukhrul with the target of completion by December this year, mini secretariat complex which is nearing completion and the proposal of setting up a 33 KV power sub-station at Khenjao which has been already approved by the DoNER Ministry.

The Government has been giving priorities on meeting the basic needs of the people and this has been made possible due to existing of Congress led Government both at the Centre and the State, the Chief Minister asserted.

Attacking BJP, although without naming the party, Ibobi said Congress is not a non-secular political party which would campaign for election on the promise of constructing Ram Mandir if elected to power.

Such communal politics is detrimental to the interest of the minorities.

Asking the people to support Congress party, Ibobi said Congress is a political party which makes no difference over caste or creed and would always stand for the minorities.

Ibobi claimed that out of the eight Assembly segments of the Outer in the valley, with exception to Wabagai AC Congress would lead in the remaining seven Assembly segments.

As for the election to the Inner Parliamentary Constituency, he said that as there are already elected representatives of the Congress party in the Government from the 19 ACs out of the 32 ACs, chances of Congress candidate leading is almost a foregone conclusion.

MPCC president Gaikhangam who also addressed the meeting appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise in favour of Congress candidate and said that Congress is a political party that strives to provide equal shares and makes no distinction between the hill and the valley people.

Congress candidate for the Outer seat Thangso Baite also spoke pleading the denizens of Ukhrul district to cast their votes in favour of him during the meeting which was also attended by Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing, Ministers Md Allauddin, DD Thaisii and TN Haokip as well as party MLAs, ex-Ministers and ex-MLAs.