NPP to announce first list of candidates today
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 23 2022: The National People's Party (NPP) on Sunday released its "People's Action Manifesto 2022" in connection with the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election.

The manifesto was released in a function held at the badminton hall of Mayol in Iroishemba in the presence of NPP national vice president and deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar, working president L Jayantakumar, National People's Youth Front president Ratika Yumnam and party's intending candidates of various constituencies.

NPP national president and Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma also attended the function via video conference as he tested positive for Covid.

Arunachal Pradesh NPP president Mutchu Mithi also attended the function Speaking on the occasion, Conrad K Sangma informed that the Action Manifesto is a carefully prepared document highlighting the works to be undertaken by the party without fail.

The document is significantly different from the manifestos of other political parties as it contains extensive details on development and covers almost every sector.

In short, the manifesto will serve as the road map of the party, he contended.

In his speech, MLA Jayantakumar remarked that other political parties call their manifestoes as their vision, but for NPP, its 'Action Document" is meant for taking action.

The action would be realised after the people vote for the candidates of NPP in the upcoming polls.

He urged all concerned not to be influence by the show of muscle and money power by other parties, adding "We don't chase after a rabid dog and bite it just because the rabid dog has bitten us" .

Informing that NPP is planning to field at least 40 candidates in the upcoming polls, Dy CM Y Joykumar conveyed that a meeting of the party's election management committee would be held on Monday morning and names of some candidates for the first phase will be announced in the afternoon.

The names could be announced in 2 or 3 phases, with the second likely before January 31.If the candidates are lucky, over 25 of them could win the polls while at least 20 are sure to win.

Stating that the party will not be involved in any pre-poll alliance, Joykumar predicted formation of a coalition government after the polls, in which NPP will take a key role.

The party, if it either forms the government or helps in the formation of the government, will fulfil the promises mentioned in its Action Document.

Its first priority would be improving the economy of the state, with special focus on agro-based industries and the fisheries sector.

He continued: "Manipur has many water bodies.

NPP plans to utilise some of these water bodies to aid in transforming the fisheries department into a major department so as to increase the production of fishes in the state.

This will not only set a stable export process but also generate employment opportunities for the youth of the state" .

The 'People's Action Manifesto' released by NPP contains the party's promises to tackle the political issues of the state such as the removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA); consultation with the state CSOs for safeguarding basic human rights; consulting all stakeholders to work towards protection of the rights of different communities in the state, and holding talks with insurgent groups and other non-state actors to bring peace in the state.

The NPP is the first political party in Manipur to come with an election manifesto for the ensuing election.

The NPP manifesto also promised to formulate a comprehensive and sustainable economic policy for a well-rounded and appropriate economic development of the state in consultation with leading economists and policy makers as well as with the people at large and work towards securing the agro based industries, fishery sector, tourism sector and human resource development for economic resurgence of the state.

It also promises transparency in taxation and stresses on rationalisation of the taxation system by reviewing the existing system and promoting investment both foreign and direct to enhance the financial strength of the state.

On the education sector, the party assured that it will create a committee of experts, government agencies, civil society, parents and student representatives to formulate education policy.

It also said that NPP believes in quality education and not quantity outputs while asserting that it will promote effective learning environments through participatory approach and equitable access to all levels of education and its allied facilities.

Revamping the existing school curriculums with special focus on the inclusion of indigenous histories, linguistic diversity, gender sensitivity and consent, sexual and reproductive health, environmental education and climate change guided by scientific temperament and research is also specified in the party's election menu.

To combat the issues of climate change, NPP will work towards better public transport systems and pedestrian friendly townships to reduce carbon footprint.

On the healthcare delivery, it promised allocation of more budgets for public healthcare in the state and work towards providing free health services to the poor.

The party will work towards establishing more medical and nursing colleges in the state with special focus on rural areas and hill districts.

On gender justice, the party promised that it will give special attention to women entrepreneurs and women led cooperative societies.

It also promised to establish a Gender Justice Commissions for the LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual) community to address their concerns comprehensively as well as formulate comprehensive youth policy which is contextually relevant in addressing the needs of the youth in the state.

The party will ensure that recruitment to government jobs is strictly based on fairness, merit and transparency, and ensure a streamlined process for the prompt announcement of results.

In the field of sports, the party will accord high priority in the development of quality sports facilities in rural areas to harness available talent and potential.

It will facilitate quality training and coaching of youth in different fields of sports.

NPP will provide new infrastructure and improve existing ones with focus on indigenous sports.

In the manifesto, the party also promised to formulate an art & culture policy towards preserving the indigenous cultural practices of communities in Manipur.

It also said that NPP will strive to preserve the state's indigenous practices by establishing research & development institutes to facilitate documentation & digitisation of information related to indigenous arts & culture, it promised.

The party further promised to formulate fresh policies for the agriculture and horticulture sectors respectively towards improvement of rural economy in the state.

It also reviewed the existing Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act of 2014 to further strengthen agricultural land protection.

In the tourism sector, NPP will promote eco-tourism by incorporating more community led initiatives and ventures.

The party will support the establishment of homestays at strategic sites through start-up loans, among others.

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