State developing despite challenges: CM Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, January 21 2025: Manipur celebrated its Statehood Day 2025 with a solemn function held at the First Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground here on Tuesday with chief minister N Biren Singh as the chief guest.

The celebration was also attended by Rajya Sbah MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, Manipur Legislative Assembly speaker Th Satybrata, cabinet ministers, MLAs, chief secretary, security advisor, DGP, and senior civil and police officials among others.

The main highlight of the celebration was the taking of the general salute and inspection of parade by the CM, followed with march-past by 12 contingents led by parade commander SP (Sports) L Sarita Devi and performance of combined band platoons.

Addressing the gathering, CM Biren stated that everyone knows the current situation of Manipur and as such, we have been standing together facing the challenges, while ensuring continued development of the state.

Speaking on the general knowledge book, 'Know Manipur', which was released on the occasion, the CM informed that the state has 33 to 34 recognised tribes and people belonging to one tribe hardly know about the culture and traditions of others.

He continued that people of the state acquired certain knowledge of mainland India through different books.

However, the lack of knowledge on the unique culture, tradition, history, geography, flora and faunas of the state can be seen among the youths, due to the absence of proper general knowledge books on Manipur.

As such, the book was released on the occasion of Statehood Day considering its significance, he added, while stressing the need to make the book available in every school and to organise regular competitions based on the general knowledge of the state.

Highlighting some welfare schemes implemented by the state government, Biren maintained that Manipur could march faster towards development, only when its people could live their lives with dignity.

As such, the state government has been giving utmost priority to improve the living standard of its people, he added.

The CM continued that the present government, in its first term, had introduced the 'War on Drugs' campaign to save the future generations, considering the serious impact of drug addiction among the youths.

He added that drastic changes could be seen in the state after the introduction of the campaign, informing that drugs worth around Rs 70,000 crore had been confiscated so far.

Many drug factories had been busted, arresting persons involved.

Also, more than 30,000 hectares of poppy plantation had been destroyed so far, he conveyed.

He continued to express the need to collectively take a pledge to stand together to eradicate drug menace from the state, facing all the challenges and barriers ahead.

The chief minister then mentioned that the Chief Ministergi Hakshelgi Teng-bang (CMHT) scheme had earlier provided benefits for cashless treatment cover up to Rs 2 lakh.

However, upon improvement of economic condition of the state, the cover amount had been increased to Rs 5 lakh.

He informed that the scheme had benefitted more than two lakh people, expending more than Rs 280 crore so far from the state's exchequer.

Apart from this, around three lakh people had been benefitted under Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY)-scheme.

He said that the Health-For-All scheme, which provides door-to-door health screening for primary health care and chronic disease management, had covered around 300 villages so far.

He also spoke on the welfare schemes in the education sector including School Fagathansi Mission, STAR Education, College Fagathansi Mission, Chief Minister's Scholarship Scheme for Civil Services Coaching and others.

He also mentioned other schemes initiated for development of other sectors.

Biren also informed that RCC retaining walls had been constructed in most river banks with a cost of around Rs 460 crore, to mitigate flooding in nearby areas.

He also mentioned the Chief Minister's Green Manipur Mission, Lamphelpat Waterbody Rejuvenation Project, Loktak Rejuvenation Project and other initiatives to develop a ring road around the Loktak Lake to avoid encroachment.

He informed that the government had come up with the Imphal River Project with an estimated cost of around Rs 80 crores.

The agreement for the construction of concrete road in Imphal areas with a cost of Rs 3,300 crores would be hopefully signed during this month, he said, adding that the concrete road would last for around 30 to 40 years and would not require frequent repairing.

Biren also informed that around Rs 100 crores had been sanctioned for development of healthcare facilities in hill districts including Chandel, Ukhrul, Jiribam, Senapati, and Tamenglong.

The healthcare facilities will have access to advanced medical facilities like CT scan, MRI, ICU services, and super-specialty care, he added.

He then expressed his gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and union minister of road transport & highways, Nitin Gadkari, under whose supervision, the three major bridges, namely Makru, Barak, and Irang along National Highway-37 had been constructed, making them pliable all throughout the year.

He maintained that the state government does not differentiate between hills and valleys in its development works, and is committed to bringing equal development across the state.

The CM continued to inform that the government is coming up with a solar power project worth Rs 34 crores with a capacity of 6.5MW at Thoubal Project Waterbody.

He added that certain development projects had been taken up in other sectors as well.

Speaking on the barriers faced in implementing various development projects, he urged all concerned not to play politics in carrying out development projects.

He further informed that he had sent a letter to union MoS (independent charge) for personnel, public grievances and pensions Dr Jitendra Singh to include a provision for making available the question papers for Manipur literature optional paper in both Bengali and Meetei Mayek scripts in the Civil Service (Main) Examination.

He expressed hope that the minister would acknowledge its importance.

The CM then raised concerns on the influx of illegal migrants and appealed to the public to remain vigil and alert.

Speaking on the many instances of arrest of defaulters of ILPS norms, he asked the authorities concerned to be sincere in performing their duties.

Requesting the police personnel to perform their duties with sincerity and dedication, CM Biren appealed to all government officials to possess the sense of responsibility and ownership, and not to be reluctant in going to their place of posting.

He continued that only a disciplined society could march forward towards development, appealing to all to contribute their part in making a stronger Manipur and India.

During the celebration, renowned Indian playwright and theatre director Ratan Thiyam was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions in the field of art and culture.

Commendation certificates were also distributed to nine police officers of Assam Government, including DGP of Assam, Gyanendra Pratap, for their support and assistance in providing training to new recruit constables (MR/IRBn) of Manipur Police at Lachit Barphukan Police Academy, Dergaon, Assam.

Apart from this, commendation certificates were also given to the Churachandpur SP Shivanand Surve, Kangpokpi SP Manoj Prabhakar and Moreh SDPO (late) Chingtham Anandkumar.

Late Chingtham Anandkumar's mother and wife received the commendation on his behalf.

The CM also released a general knowledge book, named 'Know Manipur (Manipur Khangminasi) Vol-1', along with a book, titled 'Good Governance Week, 2024' in honour of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on the occasion.

Comment