Foundation laid for IE mini secretariat
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, June 20 2022: Chief Minister N Biren on Monday laid the foundation stone for construction of New Mini-Secretariat Complex of Imphal East District at Porompat.

The foundation stone was laid as part of the silver jubilee celebration of creation of Imphal East District organised by District Administration, Imphal East at its office complex at Porompat.

Speaking at the event, the chief minister contended that blocking of drainage systems due to encroachment and construction above drain at many places by irresponsible people is the primary reason for the pathetic condition of roads during the rainy season.

Noting that the blacktopped roads do not last more than 6 months due to absence of drains, he informed that a government notice has been issued to convert around 79 roads in Greater Imphal and District Headquarters, into double-lane roads.

Biren urged the DC concerned to start marking the areas along the roads for expansion so as to deter any encroachments.

For any patta land affected, adequate compensation would be given, he assured, while adding that after the conversion of 79 roads is completed, the same will be done for other roads.

In addition, deforestation, drying up of water bodies/wetlands and clearing lands atop the hills as private property are affecting the state badly.

As such, rivers flow above the danger mark whenever there is heavy rain, the CM said.

He urged officials concerned to take up actions against those encroachers, adding that the state government had already taken up a mass drive for eviction of illegal encroachers from Reserved Forest areas and riversides in the larger interest of the people and younger generations.

CM N Biren recounted that Imphal East District was once considered as a less developed district with lack of infrastructure.

However, with the committed efforts of former Deputy Commissioners and other officials, the district witnessed development of various infrastructures in the last 25 years, thus, becoming one of the important districts.

Regarding the proposed New Mini-Secretariat Complex, Biren informed that around Rs 14-15 crore would be deposited first to Manipur Police Housing Corporation and a competent company would be engaged for the construction.

The project is estimated to be take around 20 months, but if concerted efforts are made, the work could be completed within 14-15 months or at the longest 18 months, he opined.

The CM continued that as parents and guardians take up different professions to be able to provide best education to their wards and also ensure their welfare, the government and its officials, as guardians of the public, should take up every possible effort to ensure welfare of the people and development of the state at large.

He stated that government officials shouldn't take up any steps which would later create controversies among people and different communities.

Instead, officials should work systematically to create a society where different communities live together happily, he added.

The Chief Minister also released an informative comic book on land related issues titled "Lourunshang da Nongma".

Expressing his appreciation on the publication of "Lourungshang da Nongma", an informative comic book on land related issues, Biren stressed the need for regular evaluation on how effectively services are provided to the public.

Such a step would enable us to know the actual coverage of various welfare schemes of the government across the state, he added.

He opined that our society would progress towards development only when government officials perform their duties sincerely and honestly.

Observing the emergence of numerous media houses in the state; the CM advised that while taking up any issue, media houses should hold a debate between the supporter and criticiser of the issue, and help lay out the facts for the people to make the decision.

It would be wrong of media houses to be one-sided and serve as platform to scold others, he remarked, while urging the media houses not to be upset when the government takes action.

Biren also maintained that the government has not driven away anyone who is a legal pattadar, but rather those occupying Khas land and areas along the river banks illegally.

Regarding the oil palm plantation, the CM said that the government had organised a seminar with experts and based on the recommendations collected during the seminar, the project was continued.

He then wished for those spreading rumours and causing mass hysteria of the project signalling the end of Manipur, to stop their acts immediately.

As Manipur is a landlocked state, there is the need to preserve agricultural land and focus on increasing our food production to become self-reliant.

Based on the relevant Act, the truly homeless are allowed to build houses on agricultural land, with a point 20 land in rural area and point 20 land in urban area.

Other than the above is simply wastage of arable land, the CM said.

He then informed that the government is planning to construct a 7-floor flat system in the state and thus, urged all concerned not to spread false propaganda and respect the existing Acts and Rules.

Stressing the need for infrastructure development, Biren informed that the state government is constructing an ethnic park at Keibul Lamjao to host the Sangai Festival 2022 as the main venue.

Huts representing different tribal groups of the state would be set up at the Ethnic Park.

He further appealed for public support on development works carried out by the government.

During the programme, a short documentary on the journey of Imphal East District was also presented.

Agriculture, Forest and Environment minister Thongam Biswajit Singh; CAF & PD minister L Susindro Meitei; Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaob; Keirao AC MLA L Rameshwor Meetei, Wangkhei AC MLA Thangjam Arunkumar, Lamlai AC MLA Khongbantabam Ibomcha Singh, Kshetrigao AC MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan, DGP P Doungel, senior civil and police officials, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Imphal East, former Deputy Commissioners of the district and other officials attended the programme among others.

Imphal East district came into being from June 16, 1997 after bifurcation of the erstwhile Imphal district into Imphal East and Imphal West.

Since then, the District Administration has been functioning with 3 Sub-Divisions, & SDC Circles and 2 CD Blocks under its jurisdiction.

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