Cabinet okays conduct of local bodies, ADC polls
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, April 21 2022: The state cabinet held its first meeting after expansion of its members to full strength at the chief minister's secretariat office here on Thursday and decided to hold elections to urban local bodies, Panchayat, municipal councils and ADCs during the months of September and October this year.

The cabinet meet chaired by CM N Biren Singh also decided to enact Manipur Electric Mobility Policy, 2022 so that government could extend help to public in purchase of E-vehicles.

The cabinet meeting which started from 10.30am and continued till 5pm discussed around 58 agendas of different departments and most of the agendas were given approval.

Apart from the chief minister, the cabinet meeting was attended by ministers Thongam Biswajit, Yumnam Khemchand, Govindas Konthoujam, Nemcha Kipgen, Awangbow Newmai, Letpao Haokip, Dr Sapam Ranjan, L Susindro, Heikham Dingo, Thounaojam Basanta and Khasim Vashum.

Talking to media persons about the first full-strength state cabinet meet held after the formation of the new government, agriculture minister Th Biswajit informed that the council of ministers decided to conduct elections of urban local bodies, Panchayat, municipal councils and ADCs, which could not be conducted for a long time due to COVID-19, during the months of September and October this year.

In view of global climate change and environment degradation, Thursday's cabinet meet decided to enact Manipur Electric Mobility Policy, 2022 so that government could help people in purchase of electric car and scooter; The cabinet also gave approval to the 5th amendment of the Manipur Town & Country Planning Act, 1975 and engagement of the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal for preparation of GIS Based Master Plan for providing urban amenities.

The cabinet also approved amendment of Imphal Municipal Corporation Building Bye Laws to facilitate orderly development.

In order to promote land integrated and sustainable development of urban areas by providing facilities like affordable housing, parks, open spaces etc., the government approved implementation of the Manipur Urban Area Transferable Development Rights (TDR) Policy, 2022, he added.

To develop the INA headquarters at Moirang as a major tourist heritage site, the cabinet approved purchase of land for expansion of approach road and other requirements while to serve as a platform for operation and maintenance of assets of tourism department, the cabinet discussed selection of Private Partner on PPP mode, he added.

Biswajit also told media persons that Thursday's cabinet meet revised VAT rate of aviation turbine fuel to 1 per cent for a period of 10 years.

The cabinet also resolved to carry out Aadhaar linking for all financial assistance schemes implemented in the state to ensure that benefits of schemes reach the targeted beneficiaries.

The cabinet also discussed setting up of an International Cancer Hospital at Moreh as a part of state government's plan to develop Moreh town as Gateway to South East Asia.

The state cabinet also decided to open District Transport Offices at Chandel, Tamenglong, Jiribam and Tengnoupal considering the hardships faced by people of these districts.

Modernisation of ISBT, Khuman Lampak on PPP model was also discussed.

Further, the cabinet resolved to strengthen implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, MGNREGS and NFSA, the minister said.

To create job opportunities and further develop the IT and ITES sector in Manipur, the cabinet approved adoption of Manipur Information Technology Policy 2022 and IT SEZ policy 2022, he added.

Biswajit further informed that the state cabinet also approved the agenda for improvement of roads in and around greater Imphal areas, district headquarters, etc., as part of the 100 Days Action Plan.

Further, the cabinet resolved to introduce Additional Performance Security for civil work tenders to ensure that quality of work is not compromised.

To ensure effective, efficient and responsive administration across the state, a new Transfer and Posting Policy was also approved.

Further, the cabinet approved mandatory biometric attendance system in all government offices, agencies, PSUs, etc., under the state government.

A detailed framework and mechanism for implementation of sub-division Monitoring Mission was also approved during the meet.

To ensure systematic and sustainable development of districts, the cabinet decided to set up a District Level Committee to be chaired by a senior level officer.

The state cabinet further approved launching of Chief Minister's Menstrual Hygiene Scheme with an objective to increase awareness amongst adolescent girls and empower them with special focus in rural areas.

Considering the strategic importance and opportunities for the state as a gateway to ASEAN under India's Act East Policy, the Cabinet approved the Manipur Integrated Logistics Policy, 2022 to broaden and streamline the logistic infrastructure in the state.

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