CM launches, lays foundation for projects in Chandel
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, January 15 2024: Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday visited Chandel district headquarters and inaugurated 10 development projects worth around Rs 126.54 crore besides laying the foundation stones for 15 other projects totalling Rs 86.45 crore.

A cabinet meeting was also held at the office of the Deputy Commissioner as a part of the government's initiative to take governance to the hill districts under the 'Go to Hills' Mission.

During his visit, the CM was accorded a warm welcome by the people along the road stretch from Pallel to Chandel town.

He was accompanied by Forest minister Thongam Biswajit, Works minister Govindas Konthoujam, Transport minister Khashim Vashum, Water Resource minister Awangbow Newmai, Social Welfare minister Heikham Dingo, PHE minister L Susindro (Yaima), Education minister Th Basanta Kumar, MAHUD minister Yumnam Khemchand, Health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, MLAs, advocate general Lenin Hijam, chief secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, and other senior government officials.

The projects inaugurated by the CM are Model Residential School at Mantri Pantha, Girl's Hostel for Minority Students at Chakpikarong, Upgrade of Phiran Leihao PS to UPS, 150ft bailey bridge over Chakpi river at Mantri Pantha, retrofitting of water supply schemes at Totun, Songjang, Liwa Sarei and Lambung, District Sports Complex and Improvement/Strengthening to 2-lane of Pallel-Chandel section of NH-102C.Meanwhile, the projects for which foundation stones were laid included construction of Type-Ill and II Quarters at Chandel, Chakpikarong and Khengjoy police stations, construction of Football Ground with natural grass at Chakpikarong, Government Children Homes at Chandel, construction of Bailey Bridges over Maha river at Khuringmul and at Lamphou Pasna over Chakpi river, construction of PHSC Yangoullen, construction of 2 BTQ at PHC Sajik Tampak, construction of 10-Bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital, Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and setting up of Memorial Park as a tribute to ex-minister and Chandel ex-MLA (L) HT Thun-gam (first state cabinet minister from Chandel district).

Addressing the formal function at Model Residential School, Mantri Pantha, CM Biren expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Chandel for the warm welcome accorded to him and his cabinet colleagues.

He said that cordial relations amongst people are possible when one respects the other with a thinking of oneness and when there is inclusive development across the state.

Maintaining that his government has always given priority on uniform development and self-respect, Biren recalled that he had highlighted the necessity of a 'topographical need-based budget' to the central leaders as hill areas, in contrast to its lesser population, require more funds for development activities due to its topography.

As such, just after becoming the chief minister in 2017, 'Go to Hills' Mission was introduced to know the ground reality of hill areas, he added.

Biren further informed that welfare schemes like 'Go to Village', 'School Fagathansi Mission', CMHT and others had been taken up after assessing the ground reality and understanding the needs of the people.

Welfare schemes introduced by the central government have been successfully implemented and benefited lakhs of families as the government officials are sincerely rendering their service, he noted.

Pointing out that the Model Residential School complex was constructed under MOBC at a cost of around Rs 25 crore, the CM informed that similar complexes are being constructed at 13 locations including in valley areas.

He then affirmed his government's commitment to change the landscape of hill districts.by taking up developmental activities.

The CM also mentioned that the Pallel to Chandel Road has been developed with utilisation of around Rs 30 crore while announcing that United College, Chandel would be covered under the newly launched 'College Fagathansi Mission', with construction of eight new classrooms with a funding of Rs 2.5 crore.

He continued that after the successful implementation of the 'School Fagathansi Mission', the rate of admission in government schools had gone up and rate of pass percentage of government schools' students considerably increased.

Expressing his desire to transform Chandel to a tourist hotspot by encouraging locals to build homestays, he further appealed to the public to be united in taking up development works.

He then stated that tourist from outside the state are keen to explore the beauty of the state as could be comprehended from Manipur having successfully hosted many national and international events like the G20 Business 20 summit, Femina Miss India Grand Finale, tri-nation football tournament, etc.

The government has no paucity of fund for development works, he declared, and sought the people's cooperation, while further mentioning the possibility of income generation through tourism.

Stating that the present government believes in being people friendly, Biren informed that the 'Go to Village' Mission will be taken up again.

He informed that a Fire Service Sub-station has been approved for Chakpikarong.

The CM then remarked that there seems to be many people who want to distort or change the history of the state, despite knowing that it is wrong and impossible to do so.

Attempts in this regard have led to the present crisis.

As such, he urged for protecting the identity, culture and customs of the indigenous communities.

Under this concept, museums for various communities have been set up and efforts are underway to construct libraries for each community at an estimate cost of Rs 50-60 lakh, he conveyed.

Briefing the media regarding the cabinet meeting which was held on Monday, CM Biren Singh informed that the state cabinet had taken a decision to conduct job recruitment for filling up 50 per cent of the vacant post of various departments.

For Home Department, the recruitment will be done for 100 percent of the vacant posts, he added.

Meanwhile, during the formal function, Deputy Commissioner Mayanglambam Rajkumar presented power point slides reviewing developmental works in Chandel district.

Distribution of beneficiaries' items, traditional dances and songs also marked the formal function.

Comment