Govt considering more autonomy to ADCs: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, October 30 2021: Stating that the state government is discussing the Autonomous District Council (ADC) Bill with the central government as certain components of the Bill are beyond the jurisdiction of the state, chief minister N Biren has informed that the government is considering providing more autonomy to the ADCs.

Speaking during a community outreach programme held in Maram Khullen village of Senapati district on Saturday, CM Biren affirmed that the state government will always work under the ambit of the Indian constitution and would never go against the interest of its people.

He appealed to all not to insist the government to take up steps on matters that couldn't be done by the state assembly.

During his maiden visit to the interior village, which is associated with the legendary love story of King Paikhomba and Maram chief's daughter Engallei, Biren announced various development projects to be taken up in Maram area in particular and Senapati district in general besides distributing benefits under various schemes of government departments.

To Maram people's much delight who were present in large number, Biren announced opening of SDO's office Maram and Maram police station, upgrade of Maram PHC to CHC and Maram Khullen PHSC to PHC.

He also handed over a work order to the agency concerned for development of Sadim Pukhri and Hinga shrine, associated with the love story of King Paikhomba and Engallei.

Biren said that the present government runs within a system and every work programme has been implemented after thorough discussion with the officials concerned.

As such, the government has been able to maintain a good relation with the public, he added.

The CM further assured of providing pipeline connection for tap water to the people of Maram Khullen.

Urging the people to stay alert from any false information being circulated by vested interest groups creating enmity among certain communities, he maintained that the state government always worked for inclusive development and added that a white paper on fund flow to the hills districts had been brought out recently.

Around 45 percent of the total state budget had been allocated to hill districts in the last two and half years, he said and appealed to the youth in the hill districts to apply for Start Up scheme as only few had applied for the same so far.

He said that infrastructure of certain sectors like road and transport, health, water supply and education among others had been improved significantly under the people oriented programmes taken up by the present government.

Stressing the need to develop hill districts in order to achieve overall progress of the country, the chief minister stated that certain development programmes had been taken up under the Hill Areas Development Programme (HADP) of the central government.

He mentioned that Rs 90 crore had earlier been allocated to Tamenglong district in 2018 and added that the centre had been proposed for allocation of funds under HADP for the remaining hill districts as well.

He that the state government, giving priority to poor and needy people since its formation, introduced schemes for the welfare of the people such as Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT), CM's Health for All and School Fagathansi Mission among others.

Biren informed that the water supply scheme being constructed in Senapati district would be inaugurated very soon and once the water supply scheme is made functional, almost 90 percent of the population of the district would be provided with tap water.

Around 16,698 households of the district had been electrified, 806 houses had been constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 20,096 households had been provided connection with tap water supply under Har Ghar Jal Scheme, 33 roads constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and 45,803 people enrolled under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, out of which 3,587 of them had been given free treatment, he informed.

The chief minister also stated that the overall percentage of households with tap water supply in the state has now increased from the earlier 5 percent to around 53 percent.

The government aims to achieve 80 percent coverage of households with tap water supply by the end of the current year, he said.

Regarding a proposal for construction of a market at Maram, he assured of doing the needful under the Horticulture Department very soon at the location provided by the locals and to black top the approach road to Maram Khullen.

Appreciating the leadership of Prime Minister Na-rendra Modi under whose supervision, more than 100 crore people of the country had been vaccinated against Covid-19, he pointed out that Covid Vaccination Express is being taken up to vaccinate all the eligible people.

He urged all the people to get vaccinated at the earliest so as to stay safe from being infected by new variants of the virus.

During the programme, he also flagged off Covid Vaccination Express for Senapati district and laid foundation stone for Science Block of Don Bosco College, Maram.

He also released the Maram text book for Class IX and X published by Board of Secondary Education, Manipur.

PHE minister Losii Dikho, education minister Sorokhaibam Rajen, agriculture minister Oinam Lukhoi, deputy speaker Kongkham Robindro, Senapati ADC caretaker chairman A Kapani, chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, administrative secretaries and head of departments of the state government were also present at the event.

Among others, minister S Rajen stated that the BJP led government in the state under the leadership of N Biren has been taking up steps for ensuring equal developments both in the hills and t.he valley.

It was towards this end that cabinet meetings have been held in hill districts so to understand the state of affairs prevailing in the hills.

This initiative is a first of its kind, he claimed.

The minister also mentioned that BJP led government had ensured everyone to sleep peacefully at night by restoring peace and normalcy in the state.

Meanwhile, PHE minister L Dikho lauded the Maram people for taking the lead by vaccinating all villagers against Covid-19 after realising the danger of remaining unvaccinated.

Expressing delight on seeing the Maram community growing in different spheres, he called the tribe as the most developing tribe in the district.

The minister also assured of providing tap water to every household of Maram community within a short period of time.

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