Chief Minister Ibobi calls for economic independence
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 26 2015: Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi on Monday called on all to exploit the State's natural resources, work together with entrepreneurs and provide employment to the youth so that the State could become economically independent.

The Chief Minister made the statement while delivering a speech at the inaugural day of a two-day national seminar on "Food and Beverage of Manipur, Cultural Heritage, Entrepreneurship and Contemporary Challenge" organised jointly by Manipur Government and Manipur University at MU Centenary Hall.

Attending the function as Chief Guest, O Ibobi said that it will be difficult to provide Government jobs to everyone and Manipur's natural resources needs to be exploited and its products exported outside the State.

Entrepreneurs should be encouraged to develop and plan different sectors to boost the State's economy.

Modern technologies should also be brought from developed countries to maintain quality in the State's products.

Chief Minister Ibobi calls for economic independence :: pix - DIPR

Ibobi pointed out that in developed countries citizens are normally worried over wastage of one's time.

However in Manipur, the frequent bandhs and blockades have forced people to face numerous problems and they are forced to work only for about six months, said the Chief Minister.

He said everyone in Manipur needs to adopt work culture and the Government has been focusing on health sector to keep people healthy.

Many students from outside the State who were studying in Manipur have already returned to their States due to frequent violent incidents, lamented Ibobi pointing out that now only around 23 students are studying in NIT.

The Chief Minister expressed his desire to increase the State's resources for undertaking developmental projects like construction of flyovers or under ground metro-railway from Keishampat to Airport.

He said the State's economy will be pushed forward if resources are tapped and exploited.

The habit of depending on Central Government funds for every work should be given up, the Chief Minister opined.

Ibobi also stressed on the Centre's new funding policy and said unlike before, 90% were provided by the Centre and remaining 10% by the State for all Central Sponsored Schemes.

But now, the Centre provides only 50% and the remaining 50% has to be shared by the State Government.

It has been estimated that making Imphal a Smart City will cost around Rs 1000 and to contribute 50% share for the same will be a difficult task, said the Chief Minister.

He said that in Tamil Nadu, crores of rupees come as taxes only from excise department.

The state also owns massive natural resources and so they can undertake any developmental work even without waiting for Central fund.

Manipur also produced plenty of local liquor and it will help in boosting the State's economy if the local brew is exported outside Manipur, the Chief Minister said.

Attending the function as Guest of Honour, Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam reiterated that additional income will be generated if local wine and liquor produced in Phayeng, Andro and Sekmai are exported well after maintaining quality.

Wines and liquor leveled as "not for sale in Manipur" should maintain standard quality for exporting, said Govindas.

He added that a plan is underway to submit a proposal to the Government in connection with exporting local wines/liquor.

It is estimated that over Rs 8 crore revenue will be generated when the State's wines/liquor are exported.

Laboratories should be set up to test the local wines/liquor, said Govindas.

The function was attended by MU Vice Chancellor Prof H NK Sharma as President while Manipur Government Consultant Dr RK Nimai and a Japanese industrialist Watenbe Teruki being the Guests of Honour.