CM calls for uprooting corruption
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 05 2023: Stating that the first steps to uproot corruption from the society should begin from self, chief minister N Biren has appealed all concerned to reflect on this truism and take a resolute stand against corruption in the upcoming local body elections.

Inaugurating a multipurpose community centre at Konthoujam Kangjeibung in Imphal West district on Sunday, Biren made the clarion call for concerted efforts to root out corruption.

He urged the public to ensure that candidates in the upcoming local body elections do not have to spend money as huge expenditure in elections will automatically lead to corruption.

He said that the nation was searching for a leader, who cares for the public, their livelihood, welfare, healthcare, insurance, income, housing and education of children.

The search ended when the nation got Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister, he said while mentioning about providing free rations to over 100 crore households and free vaccination during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, Dr Sapam Ranjan was the advisor (health) to the CM and the government fought the pandemic valiantly with his support and consultation.

The contagion claimed millions of lives but the state recorded only a little over 2000 deaths (1.53 per cent fatality rate).

Moreover, the government provided Rs 2000 cash assistance to state natives stranded in different parts of the country, and brought back home around 50,000 such individuals through special trains when there was a total lockdown in the entire country, he recounted.

Regarding the Union Budget, the CM said that unlike past budgets, it is a historic outlay with a vision for the next 25 years in order to make the country a global superpower.

The nation as well as the state would never be in the present stage if BJP had not come to power.

Without the BJP government, the state would still remain in an environment of race for chair and contracts.

At that time, the porous border with Myanmar was left unattended without any surveillance over cross border activities.

In the absence of control mechanism, cross border drug traffickers infiltrated the fabric of the society, which further resulted in tension among the indigenous communities of the state, he said and added that his government is working towards resolving these issues.

The CM also mentioned about various welfare initiatives taken up by his government including CHMT, Ayushman Bharat, labour card, widow pension, etc.

On the other hand, it is the BJP government that brought the exiled freedom fighters of the state to the limelight by giving them the honour they deserved.

The government is taking UP steps to bring out the stories of the brave forefathers in order to motivate the younger generations and instil a sense of patriotism among them.

He spoke about renaming Mt Harriet to Mt Manipur and also informed that the Indian Navy will soon commission a ship called INS Imphal.

The state should recognise such initiatives from the Centre and reciprocate accordingly, he said while urging to give up the concept of criticising every bad thing about the Central government while hiding the good ones.

He went on to say that MLAs and ministers in the past used to stay away from the public life once they won the elections but those times are gone and people will find their elected representatives among the public now.

Biren also announced that his government is working hard to bring development at par in both hills and valley and in restoring the age old fraternity and brotherhood among the indigenous communities.

The ethnic park established during the last Manipur Sangai Festival is aimed at bolstering the ties among the communities.

The inter-community relationship, cuisines, tradition, culture, costume of the state shown during the tourism festival drew attention of the visiting ministers, delegates and tourists.

As a result, representatives and leaders of G20 countries would be visiting Sangai Ethnic Park, INA Moirang and Marjing Polo Complex as part of the G20 events to be held in Imphal this month, he added.

Biren further said that in a step to recognise the contribution of Pukhrambam Kajao, who killed British Political Agent Grimwood, the government is planning to install a statue of the freedom fighter either inside Kangla or at an appropriate site in Imphal.

This will infuse enthusiasm among the younger generations to know more about the brave sons of the soil and motivate them to contribute towards development and prosperity in the society.

He also said that he will instruct art and culture department to renovate the statue of Kajao located at Kangmong Meisnam Leikai under Konthoujam assembly constituency.

The CM also expressed concern over losing land of the indigenous people and said that the government will put restrictions on buying and selling of land without approval from the ADC, municipality and Gram Panchayat concerned.

Besides, the government is planning to set up some residential complexes in order to prevent further crowding in Imphal area.

Health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan and Manipur Legislative Assembly speaker Th Satjabrata also attended the function, during which cards for different welfare schemes including CMHT and labour were distributed to several beneficiaries.

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