CM resents "petty politics over Manipur issue
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, July 25 2024: While urging all not to indulge in petty politics just because Manipur was not mentioned in the parliament, chief minister N Biren Singh said that the other states which figured prominently in speeches of the central leaderships are in a more precarious situation.

For Manipur, over Rs 80 crore had been sanctioned as relief for the flood and hail-affected, he added.

Speaking as chief guest at the "Distribution of Benefits and Launching of Books" function held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat on Thursday, CM Biren informed that consequent to the unprecedented crisis in the state, the centre has been extending unwavering support for the welfare of the people.

For people affected by the crisis, a funding of around Rs 145 crore and around Rs 124 crore was sanctioned for operation of relief camps and construction of pre-fabricated house respectively.

A one-time financial assistance of Rs 1000 each for the fourth phase amounting to around Rs 23 crore has also been released.

However, the government is having a tough time dealing with the conflict and external influence at the same time, conceded the chief minister.

While acknowledging measures initiated may not be up to the satisfaction of entire section of the society, he emphasised that all concerned understand gravity of the situation and continue to work together for the state.

Stating that the central government had been continuously assisting the people staying in relief camps, Biren urged against indulging in petty politics just because Manipur was not mentioned in the parliament.

Even if Manipur was not mentioned, the central government has been sanctioning huge amounts till date, he reiterated, adding that the government has been providing trainings on food processing, fertiliser and mushroom cultivation to those staying in relief camps.

The poultry farming in the state has improved significantly, while Manipur"s sericulture products are known and in high demand all over the world, he added The CM continued that as of now, Rs 145 crore has been utilised with Rs 124 crore used for constructing pre-fabricated houses and in payment of Rs 1000 per person till the fourth phase.

A total of around Rs 19 crore has been released as compensatory package.

Also, for providing nutrition and personal hygiene for children, around Rs 44 crore have been released.

Further as a part of "Special Assistance of Rs 1 lakh per family for displaced families in relief camps", first instalment of Rs 25,000 per family for 6000 families has been released.

Around Rs 3 crore has sanctioned for providing TV sets in the camps for entertainment of the inmates, he added.

Further, due to the improvement in law-and-order situation in certain areas, around Rs 20 crore has been released for estimated 736 families for construction of permanent houses.

For families affected by the recent hailstorm, CGI sheets have been supplied to 42,000 families costing around Rs 45 crore.

The central government has sanctioned an overall amount of Rs 80 crore for flood and hailstorm, he informed, while urging the people to maintain unity to bring peace in the state.

"Since those engaging in petty politics are trying to overshadow the works done by the government till date, the above facts and figures are being presented," he stated.

The CM then remarked that there is confusion on whether to deal with anti-national/anti-state elements or with those trying to take credits or recognition.

As such, we need to be stand united to deal with internal and external forces who are trying to disintegrate the state.

"Not every person is our foe.

All 33/34 communities in the state are siblings and have been living together since time immemorial.

Thus, one should not ignore the conflict happening right in front of our eyes.

The government is fighting for the present and future generations and not for self-vested interests.

Hence, it would be best not to sling mud at each other, and instead work together to end all forms of violence and restore Manipur to its peaceful state", Biren asserted.

While delivering his presidential speech, minister Heikham Dingo Singh stated that the Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board under the guidance of the CM has become fully functional and working for welfare of the public.

He said that under the Board various initiatives for labour card holders like accidental benefits, pension benefits for 60 years and above labourers, educational benefits for children of labourers are being provided.

The Board has initiated the process of providing the medical benefits for the same, he added, and urged the public to support the government.

During the function jointly organised by Department of Sericulture, and Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board, CM Biren released benefits amounting to Rs 1.23 crore to about 495 beneficiaries through DBT under four projects taken up by the Department of Sericulture under Samagra.

The four projects are Integrated Oak Tasar Project in Chandel, Tamenglong, Noney and Churachandpur districts; Eri Project in Senapati and Jiribam districts; Intensive Bivoltine Project in Ukhrul, Kamjong and Tamenglong districts; and Women Empowerment through Sericulture in Kakching, Chandel and Imphal East districts.

The benefits were distributed under Labour Employment and Entrepreneurship.

The CM also distributed Rs 29.96 lakh as educational benefits to around 300 students whose parents worked as labourers under the Labour Department and released a book titled "Handbook for Farmers" published by the Department of Sericulture.

The programme was also attended by cabinet ministers, chairman of Hill Areas Committee, and MLAs, chairmen of various boards, corporations and bank officials.

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