Imphal, May 04: Deriding the trend of vandalising and torching Government offices by different groups for certain demands, Works Minister K Ranjit cautioned that such destructive activities will always prove strong deterrents to development of the State.

Ranjit was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of Sub-Division Officers' building cum residential quarters built at Paomata sub-divisional headquarters in Senapati district yesterday.

The building was constructed at a cost of Rs 12 lakhs.

Asserting that public offices and educational institutes are just like sacred temples, Ranjit appealed to all concerned not to torch these structures for some demands or annoyances.

Such destructive activities are great impediments to development, he said.

Speaking on different development programmes taken up by the Government, Ranjit said that development work of the TT-Lai road which passes through Paomata was taken up under Special Plan Assistance after sanctioning Rs 4 crores during 2007-08 fiscal.

Another Rs 4 crores will be sanctioned during the current fiscal to complete the road development work, he assured.

The inter-village road at Lower Shajouba which was dislocated in the last rainy season has been restored at the cost of Rs 80 lakhs.

In addition, best efforts are being put in to develop NH 39 as a modern highway, claimed the Works Minister while appealing to all the people to cooperate with the initiative of the Government aimed at equitable development of hills and valley rather than disrupting development activities.

Addressing the inaugural function held at Paomata public ground, Education Minister L Jayantakumar exhorted the people to reap the benefits of the SDO office.

Stating that the office building is a public property, he called upon the people to protect it.

TD Minister DD Thaisii also attended the function as guest of honour.

Later speaking to reporters, Works Minister K Ranjit noted that even as development/repairing work of NH 39 has been initiated since last year, there has been little progress due to inefficiency of contractors and threats from different UG groups.

Inability of the hot mix plants located at Kanglatongbi and Karong to supply materials in time is also another cause for the tardy pace of work, he observed.

Asking contractors concerned to complete repairing work of the highway by May 15, he warned that they should surrender all their contract works before they are blacklisted in case they fail to complete the road development work by this time.

Nevertheless, he appreciated the progress made in the construction of ADC office at Kangpokpi and mini-Secretariat building at Senapati district headquarters.

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