NEC official picks holes with development works in State
Tardy pace of work likely to put off NEC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 27 2011: Planning Advisor of the North Eastern Council (NEC) J Lhungdim has categorically stated that pace of development projects undertaken in the state is not satisfactory.

Interacting with The Sangai Express on October 25 evening, Lhungdim, who is Indian Defence Accounts Service officer, cautioned that slackness in the implementation of development projects might lead to the NEC losing interest in funding projects in Manipur.

He regretted that inspite of regular inspections by NEC officials and to some extent even warning the state Government to accelerate implementation of development schemes, work progress of various projects is not upto the mark.

Citing an example, Lhungdim said despite plan of the state Government to invite Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to inaugurate various projects including the Inter State Bus Terminus only frontal portion of the Terminus was found to have been completed when inspected.

The NEC Planning Advisor, who arrived for assessing status of various projects which the Prime Minister is slated to inaugurate on November 15, revealed that final phase allocation of Rs 5.5 crores for the Bus Terminus has already been released to the Government of Manipur.

Informing that a meeting with the Principal Secretary (works) Ramnganing Muivah and PWD Chief Engineer Lokendra was held on Ocotber 24 to review progress of various road development works under NEC funding, Lhungdim maintained that development of Tamei-Kangpokpi and Bishnupur-Nungba roads figured prominently at the review meeting.

Conveying that he held discussion with the Principal Secretary (Power) LP Gomei after inspecting the Yurembam Power Sub station, the NEC official disclosed that out of four power projects submitted by the State's Power Department to the Council for fund allocation, sanction for two projects is likely to be approved in the current financial year.

Lhungdim further opined that NEC sanction for the Yurembam Power Sub Station might be stalled unless the Kongba power station work is completed within the December deadline.

With regard to the Yurembam power project he said three separate units of 30 megawatt each will be initiated.

Acknowledging woeful situation of power supply in the State, he suggested stringing of 400 KV power line from Jiribam upto Imphal and acquisition of power from the Paltana power project in Tripura and Assam's Bongaigaon power project to address the problem.

Stating that Manipur faces 70 percent loss of power in transition, the NEC Advisor expressed confidence of preventing the loss to a great extent in case 20,000 pre-paid meter system acquired by the State's Power Department is installed in the greater Imphal areas.

The State Government is also planning to instal the pre-paid meter system in other parts of the State, he added.

Inspection of the Tribal Hospital at Rengkai in churachandpur district is also in the itinerary of the NEC official.

Comment