Governor chronicles achievements, targets in multiple fronts
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 02 2023: The third session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly began with the Governor's address on Thursday.

Governor La Ganesan began his address by conveying wishes for a productive and prosperous year ahead, and mentioned about India's G20 presidency and opening of Kangla Nongpok Thong.

In the law & order, and justice delivery front, the Governor said that the law and order situation and security environment in the state has improved significantly in the recent years.

During 2022, 75 insurgents surrendered, and 309 extremists were arrested while various arms and ammunition were seized.

Giving a further boost to the peace process, the Central and state governments entered into a cessation of operation agreement with Zeliangrong United Front, he pointed out.

With the improved security scenario, 15 police station areas in six districts of the state have been excluded from the Disturbed Area Notification with effect from April 1, 2022 which resulted in revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 from these areas, the Governor said.

He also mentioned about the approval for construction of 34 Police Outposts (POs) along the Indo-Myanmar international border and six POs along NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam).

Out of these, construction of 12 border POs and three POs along NH-37 are in progress.

To root out the menace of illegal drugs and save the youth, the government is continuing its fight against drugs under the initiative of 'War on Drugs 2.0'.During 2022, 3517 acres of illicit poppy cultivation were destroyed in different areas of the state and 2567 kg of contraband drugs have been disposed.

Over 2,384 kg of drugs of different types and nearly 40,000 bottles of cough syrup were seized.

504 cases were registered under ND&PS Act and 32 people were convicted while 84 others detained under PIT NDPS Act.

Sensitive cases relating to crime against women and children were given top most priority in investigation and 91 cases relating to crime against women and 52 cases under POCSO Act were registered.

Cyber Forensic Training Laboratory was set up and 100 police personnel have been trained, the Governor said and also mentioned about recruitment of riflemen for two battalions of IRB and ongoing recruitment process of 1,385 different posts.

To provide sufficient infrastructure for the judiciary, construction of District Court Complex in Kakching, Noney and Senapati have been start -ed and annexe court building at Bishnupur Court Complex inaugurated.

District and Sessions Court in Tamenglong was established and court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Tamenglong started functioning.

The new district court building in Tamenglong with residential quarters of Judges is targeted for completion in 2023.The High Court and the subor dinate courts disposed 7405 cases during 2022, he said.

In healthcare, the Governor highlighted the achievements under CMHA and CMHT including enhancement of healthcare insurance up to Rs 5 lakh per annum per family; AB-PMJAY; commencement of medical college in Churachandpur with 100 MBBS seats; seat enhancement at JNIMS to 150; Tele-ICU IT network; opening of a Regional Paediatric Cardiothoracic Unit with modular OT facility at RIMS, procurement of new ambulance with ALS facility process for recruitment of 300 Medical Officers as well as engagement of 200 MOs and 300 nursing staff on contractual basis.

In the finance and planning front, the Governor highlighted taking various steps towards resource mobilisation to increase tax revenue.

The State's tax revenue increased from Rs 586 crore in FY 2017-18 to Rs 1649 crore in FY 2021-22, which is an average annual growth of 23 per cent.

During FY 2021722, expenditure on capital outlay increased by 33 per cent vis-a-vis 2 per cent for revenue expenditure.

With increased allocation for expenditure on capital investment at Rs 573 crore for FY 2022-23 under Special Assistance to States under Capital Investment, the upward trajectory in expenditure on capital outlay is expected to continue, the Governor observed.

He also mentioned about enabling e-payment in all 19 treasury offices; initiative to streamline release of funds under CSS through Single Nodal Agency Model; projects under NLCRP and informed that 18 projects were sanctioned in the sectors of water supply, health and roads under North East Special Infrastructure Development Schemes.

He also mentioned about completion of 10 projects under Hill Area Development Program in Tamenglong and Noney; seven new NEC projects; two ongoing NEC projects on Alternative Farming System for Tribal Jhumias and Poppy Planters and installation of Water ATM; six new projects for construction of modem agro market complex at Kyamgei, Heritage Com plex at Rajbari in Shillong, mini outdoor stadium at Luangrang, amongst others; in principle approval of a road project connecting Tadubi to Chowainamei Khunou and Moirangdung in Senapati under NERSD by NEC.

The Governor further highlighted approval of projects under Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment FY 2022-23; Rs 100 crore earmarked as corpus fund for Manipur Startup 2.0; launch of Manipur Startup Scheme 2.0 Policy 2022 & Venture Fund in partnership with NEDFI; as well as other schemes such as Manipur Credit Guarantee Scheme, CM's Entrepreneurship Support Scheme.

Under tribal affairs, minorities and SC &OBC welfare section, the government is setting up three Eklavya Model Resi dential Schools in Sapermeina, Moreh and Tamenglong; and five tribal health centres at Impa, Chamu, Molcham, Thingpuikuol and Kangjang.

The Governor also mentioned about Post-Matric, Pre-matric and Merit-cum-Means scholarships; subsidised mortuary van service from Imphal to hill districts; skill training for OBC, SC and minority communities; completion of 116 projects under PMJVK.

For ensuring food security, the government has digitised names of beneficiaries under NFSA with Aadhaar seeding in the public portal and all Fair Price Shops have been automated.

He also highlighted providing free foodgrains to all NFSA beneficiaries under PMGKAY till December 2022; free LPG connections to 2,00,658 beneficiaries.

He said that the government is taking up various steps to develop the education sector and highlighted NAAC accreditation pf 20 government colleges; free coaching class for civil services aspirants; smartphone distribution under CM's College Maheiroi E-Support Scheme; establishment of 'Bamboo Innovation and Incubation Centre' in Manipur Technical University, which has become a member of the United Nations Academic Impact, and India Universities and Institutions Network for Disaster Risk Reduction.

To empower students with latest knowhow in automobile sector and strengthen employment opportunities, Government Polytechnic, Takyelpat signed an MoU with Toyota Kirloskar to set up Toyota Technical Education programme.

He also mentioned about infrastructure development projects of DM University under RUSA; School Fagathansi Mission covering 120 high and higher secondary schools; increased student enrolment; construction of new facilities and science labs in schools; distribution of tablets pre loaded with digital learning content; STAR Education Programme covering all districts; and enrichment of local contents in textbooks including a write up on Mount Manipur in Social Science text book of Class VIII.

In the power sector, the government has been providing 24x7 power to town areas and around 23 hours per day in other areas, he said and highlighted installation of prepaid meters; reduction in AT& C loss by augmenting AB cable and saturation of prepaid meters; construction & operationalisation of several sub-stations; implementation of Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, Manipur; process is on for DPR to develop 29 hydro projects with 306 MW capacities; installation of standalone solar water pumping systems; implementation of Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Projects at Phangrei village, Ukhrul district and Chawan-gkining village, Kangpokpi district; and installation of off-grid & grid connected rooftop solar power plants at 803 consumer premises.

He also said that the state Load Despatch Centre was conferred the first ever 'LDC Excellence Award' under the category of Emerging State at the 9thlnternational Conference on Power Systems-2021.In agriculture and allied activities and natural resources, the Governor highlighted enrolment of 6.2 lakh farmers under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana; infrastructure development under RKVY-RAFTAAR and various other infrastructure including cold storage unit; farm mechanisation; oil palm mission; organic farming; and assistance provided to farmers & FPOs.

He also mentioned about joint survey of 11 reserved forests and seven protected forests areas: eviction of illegal encroachers; strengthening forest guards; management of watershed for restoring ecological balance; Integrated Management Plan of three water bodies; enhancement of fish production through various schemes; renovation of veterinary hospitals and dispensaries; establishment of Feed Mixing Plants.

In water resources and management, the Governor highlighted initiatives to develop irrigation facilities; critical flood control and anti-erosion measures; rejuvenation of Lamphelpat water body; construction of State Hydrological Data Centre for flood forecasting and modelling; and installation of Real Time Data Stations of Surface and Ground Water.

In water supply & sanitation, he referred to Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide functional household tap connections to over 4.5 lakh rural households; ongoing and completed water supply/treatment plants; integrated sewer system for Imphal City; target to achieve ODF plus status.

In the connectivity front, the Governor highlight-ed Centre's approval for construction of 4 Lane Elevated Highways Project; various highway projects; Manipur Heli Service under MHA subsidy scheme and RCS UDAN 2.0 Scheme.

He also mentioned about Smart City Mission; PM-SVANidhi Scheme; PMAY schemes; various achievements in rural development; PMOSY; MGNREGS; 75 Amrit Sarovar; DDU-GKY; drug de-addiction programmes, enhancement of pension benefits for differ ent pensions schemes under social welfare department; skill development trainings through ITIs and NSIT; implementation of ILP system; handloom & handicraft sec tor; Geographical Indication registration; MoU signed with Amazon to sell handloom and handicrafts products; promotion of local handloom products; new industrial estates; upgrading Manipur Sangai Festival; installation of tallest polo statue & 165-feet high National Flag; implementation of new Manipur Tourism Policy, 2022; inauguration of Manipur Olympian Park and promotion of indigenous martial arts.

The Governor further said that the government is committed to preserve and protect the rich composite cultural heritage of the state, and highlighted initiatives like Kangla Nongpok Thong; Pa nam Ningthou Immortal Fire and Historical Monuments in and around Andro; statue of Maharaj Narasingh at Kangla Western Gate; restoration of Maharaj Bhagyachandrana Shamu Phaba statue; Chivu Chandrakirti Memorial Park in Churachandpur; protect ed historical site in Makhel; Manipur Southern Cultural Centre at Behiang; and CMAT scheme for artistes.

The Governor also mentioned about achievements and initiatives taken up in relief & disaster management; coordinated search and rescue operations during the massive landslide at Makhuam in Noney; administrative reforms including Manipur Lokayukta, Manipur Staff Selection Commission Act, 2022; e-Office & e-District projects; development of IT SEZ including MoUs signed with Tata Technologies Limited, KITT University.

Bhubaneswar & HCL Technologies; SWAN connectivity for horizontal office of DHQs and Block HQs; 4G saturation project in 360 villages; 5G services launch; construction of district science centre and planetarium in Churachandpur arid Ukhrul districts.

He also highlighted Silk Samagra-11 project for seri culture development; new district information offices, enhancement of pension amount for journalists; online registration of documents for sale and gift deeds of land; drone survey of land properties under SVAMITVA Scheme; computerisation of land records; speedy process of land acquisition for major developmental works.

The Governor further highlighted the achievements in vigilance and anti-corruption front, and informed that Vigilance and Anti-Corruption department registered 11 FIR cases.

Besides, 67 preliminary enquiry and verification cases were registered during the year.

Online Vigilance Certificate Portal' was launched to enable departments to obtain online vigilance clearance required at the time of retirement, promotion, awards and thus improving transparency and service delivery.

Motion of thanks to the Governor's Address was moved by health & IPR minister Dr Sapam Ranjan and seconded by minister Awangbow Newmai.

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