CM inaugurates projects, lays foundation
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, April 13 2023: The first anniversary of the N Biren-led 2.0 Government was celebrated with the chief minister as the chief guest at Senapati Public Ground on Thursday.

N Biren was sworn in as the CM of Manipur for the second term on March 21, 2022 after the BJP won absolute majority in the election to the Manipur Legislative Assembly held in March of the same year.

The CM and other dignitaries were accorded a rousing welcome by leaders of civil society organisations, student organisations, church leaders and the public on their arrival at the function venue.

He then inaugurated 95 projects worth Rs 22,450 lakh and laid foundation stones of 17 projects worth Rs 7605 lakh, to mark the celebration.

The projects include five projects of Agriculture Department, one project each of Department of Taxes, Police Department, Law and Legislative Department, MAHUD and Youth Affairs and Sports; two projects each of Health Department, Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Planning Department, Public Works Department, Tourism Department, Tribal Affairs and Hills Department; three projects of Textiles and Commerce Department; six projects each of Rural Engineering Department and Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department; 10 projects of Directorate of Education (S), and 48 projects of Minority Affairs Department.

Cabinet ministers, members of parliament, members of legislative assembly, chief secretary, director general of police, senior civil and police officers, civil society organisations, church leaders, and Senapati denizens also attended the function among others.

Addressing the gathering, CM Biren said that he was overwhelmed by the warm welcome accorded to him and his cabinet colleagues by the people of Senapati.

He also appreciated the Planning Department and Senapati district administration for organising the anniversary celebration in a grand way.

Explaining why the government had chosen Senapati district to celebrate the first anniversary of the government, Biren said the district is on the path to becoming the second sports capital of Manipur, with certain infrastructure development in the field of sports.

He further stated that Senapati is the first hill district to have an artificial football turf, second in the state after Khuman Lampak.

In addition, a stadium for indigenous wrestling will be constructed at an estimated cost of over Rs 10 crore, aside from the recently inaugurated Seven A-side ground, amusement park and an indoor stadium built under NEC.

He expressed confidence that the district would see a considerable change in sports infrastructure development once the indigenous wrestling stadium and football ground at Karong are completed, adding that Thangal Memorial Football Stadium would also be constructed soon at Thangal Village.

Biren further informed that a Critical Care Block with 10 ICU beds will be constructed at Senapati District Hospital with an estimated cost of Rs 28 crore.

Specialist doctors will be stationed at the block to treat seriously ill patients, he said, while highlighting various development- works taken up during the last one year of his government.

The CM appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his focus on development of northeast states especially Manipur, while informing that central leaders are elated to see the people of Manipur living together happily and peacefully.

Forest, Environment and Climate Change minister Th Biswajit Singh, while delivering his speech, stated that everyone's efforts and support are needed for successful implementation of government programmes and development of the state.

He maintained that the present government has been taking up governance in a different way to bring uniform development, and cited the Meeyamgi Numit and Hill Leaders' Day initiatives of the government.

Speaking on the issue of climate change, he stated that the government has been taking up various initiatives as per law, to preserve the forest land of the state, adding that the government is not against anyone.

He then appealed to the public to play their part in protecting the forests to mitigate the impact of climate change.

In his address, works minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that Manipur has been witnessing lots of changes and development since the past few years, adding that projects inaugurated on Thursday are the proof.

Every programme of the government is focused on development, he said.

Citing various infrastructure developments taken up in the state as the reason for getting the opportunity to host certain events like G20 Summit and Tri Nation Football Tournament; he maintained that hosting the Grand Finale of Femina Miss India in the state will be historic.

The minister continued that the government aims to bring balanced development across the state, and so the percentage of budget allocation for development in hill areas has increased a lot in recent years.

During the programme, the chief minister handed over an appointment order to Pangambam Romita Devi, wife of VDF (L) N Premananda, as cook in the Police Department.

Premananda had gone missing while on duty to destroy illegal poppy plantations and was later found dead in an area under Chakpikarong police station in Chandel district.

As a part of the programme, the CM also felicitated government department and officials for their contribution in certain fields.

The officers included chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited managing director C Doungel, commissioner (Tourism) PK Jha; Conservator of Forest, Western Circle Gaithaolu Thaimei; Central Forest Division DFO RK Am-arjit Singh; Churachandpur Forest Division DFO Esther Lantankim Serto; Bishnupur deputy commissioner L Bikram; Kangpokpi ACF Vikram Nadhe on behalf of N Ganesh; SP Bishnupur N Herojit Meetei; SP (Kangpokpi) Thokchom Vikramjit Singh; Tourism Department joint secretary (Home) Reha-nuddin Choudhury; deputy secretary Elangbam Sonia; CAF & PD senior finance officer Sanatombi Bachaspatimayum; SP NAB K Meghachandra; IT Department director N Deben and Anti-Corruption & Public Grievance Redressal Team officers.

The CM also honoured senior most elders of five major tribes of Senapati district and leaders of churches and civil society organisations.

MLA L Dikho welcomed the gathering at the beginning of the programme as MLA Kumo Sha delivered the vote of thanks.

A tree plantation programme was also carried out before the formal inauguration of the artificial turf ground.

A booklet and a short film on the achievement of first year of government were released by the chief minister, followed by screening of a short film on War on Drugs 2.0.After the end of the programme, a friendly football match was played between CM 11 and Senapati 11 at the newly inaugurated Astro turf at the Public Ground.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

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