Biren highlights Govt's achievements in 2022
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 30 2022: Highlighting a number of achievements made by the State Government in 2022, Chief Minister N Biren has asserted Manipur was able to bag the Most Improved State in the small State category which included States like Delhi and Goa for three consecutive years.

This achievement was made possible because of the cooperation extended by the masses and the journalist fraternity.

Briefing media persons at the Chief Minister's official residence this evening, N Biren extended best wishes to all the people of Manipur on the eve of the new year 2023 .

He said that it was the media which informed the people of Manipur, India and the world at large about the different activities undertaken by the State Government.

Churachandpur Medical College which is the first medical college set up in the hill districts of Manipur commenced its maiden session with 100 MBBS seats this year, he said.

Biren highlights Govt's achievements in 2022

While the MBBS seats at JNIMS was raised from 100 to 150, MBBS course of 100 seats was opened in 2022 at Shija Academy of Health Sciences in collaboration with the State Government, the Chief Minister said.

Under the Chief Minister's Health for All scheme, doctors and nurses have been going to villages and conducting screening of 13 diseases.

So far, over 840 villages have been covered and health check-up opportunity has been given to more than 3.5 lakh people, he said.

Asserting that good health is of paramount importance, Biren said that the Chief Minister's Health for All provides for diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic respiratory disease, oral cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, post stroke condition, mental health problems, depression, HIV, cataract, TB etc and distribution of medicines free of cost.

"We believe that the Chief Minister's Health for All can cover all the villages in the next couple of years", he said.

He said that the monetary assistance given to economically weaker sections under CMHT for medical treatment has been raised from Rs two lakh to Rs five lakh.

So far, over five lakh people belonging to families of 1,22,349 card holders have availed the benefits of CMHT.

Under the Prime Minister's Ayushman Bharat scheme, 4,71,371 people have been given monetary assistance of Rs five lakh each.

Saying that an eye screening campaign had begun from December 15, the Chief Minister informed that due preparations have been completed for opening 18 'paid private wards' at JNIMS for economically weaker sections.

The paid private wards are being planned for inauguration by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on January 6.Preparations are also being made for inauguration of Olympian Park and the Ibudhou Marjing Polo complex statue by the Union Home Minister, Biren said.

He said that the JNIMS boys hostel has been inaugurated while the girls hostel is already there.

Construction and development of Sangai Ethnic Park was completed within a short time of three months and the Manipur Sangai Festival was held successfully with the help of the people, he said.

Clean Loktak Lake campaign has been already launched and demarcation of the lake's borderline has also been completed.

Moreover, unhygienic structures built inside the lake have been removed, Biren said.

In a historic milestone, Sagol Kangjei was played in the Manung Kangjeibung of Kangla and this tournament will be held every year.

"By holding Manipur Sangai Festival at 14 places, we have successfully shown to the whole world that the Manipuri people are one", Biren claimed.

Chibu Chandrakirti Park was inaugurated and handed over to the public this year.

A heritage site developed at Makhel at the cost of Rs six crore was also inaugurated.

Further, the first North East Institute of Hotel Management was launched, he continued.

Altogether 69 militants gave up arms and returned to normal life through home-coming ceremony.

Further, the Government has signed a truce with the ZUF and it seems the atmosphere is conducive to sign similar agreements with a few other groups, Biren said.

He went on to claim that the War on Drugs has been going on quite successfully with the help of the public.

Due process has been initiated to give bigger benefits to poppy planters under the Alternative Livelihood scheme, he said.

Under the State Government's initiative to make Manipur green and clean, grounds have been developed at 21 hill villages at the cost of Rs five lakh each.

A total of 13 villages have been felicitated with incentives of Rs five lakh each for preserving forest in Behiang area.

Drugs worth Rs 1,228 crore in the international market were seized from January 2022 till date.

The drugs included 500 Kgs of brown sugar.

In the meantime, 1780 acres of poppy plantations were destroyed.

In 2021, 6742 acres of poppy plantations were detected and this area shrunk to 1118 in 2022, as people responded positively to the Government's appeal, Biren said.

Out of the 1118 acres of poppy plantation detected this year, 450 acres were destroyed till yesterday.

So far, 703 people have been arrested in connection with poppy plantations and smuggling of drugs and 497 cases registered.

The arrested individuals include three village chiefs,one vice chairperson and onevillage secretary he said.

The Chief Minister asserted that the Government would never compromise on matters related to drugs and corruption.

The Government would even go to the Supreme Court, if necessary, he added.

To enhance security of people travelling on highways, 24 GPS-fitted vehicles have been deployed.

A number of equipment have been procured for Manipur Fire Service including two crash fire tenders, two water bowsers and 15 portable fire pumps.

Informing that 40 police outposts are being constructed in border areas, the Chief Minister said that six of them would focus on highway protection.

These police outposts are expected to be complete by February.

These police outposts would help a lot in checking illegal activities, Biren said.

Mounted police unit has been revived and an unarmed tourist police unit has been opened to help tourists.

Selected and trained female commandos have been deployed at different places and the Government has been working to raise their number, Biren said.

With the objective of facilitating better communication among different communities, teaching of seven languages/dialects has already started.

Development of 120 schools under the Government's School Fagathansi Mission is nearing completion.

Subsequent upon launching of the School Fagathansi Mission, enrolment in Government schools has risen by 38 per cent, he claimed.

He said that due process has been initiated for upgrading 120 schools to higher secondary schools.

A programme of training Government teachers by teachers/experts from development countries has been launched under the Star Education, he continued.

Maintaining that good governance can be delivered as long as the Government keeps a close relationship with the public, the Chief Minister said that the Meeyamgi Numit and the Hill Leaders Day have been institutionalised, and DCs and SPs have been holding these gatherings every month.

Construction of roads from drain to drain has already started so as to reduce health hazards posed by pollution.

Altogether 79 roads have been identified for expansion to double lane.

Informing that Imphal-Maram and Maram-Peren-Dimapur roads have been connected, the Chief Minister said that one can now go to Dimapur without passing through congested Kohima town.

Imphal-Tezu and Imphal-Arunachal flight services have been launched as flight services from Imphal to Aizawl and Silchar have been resumed.

Open gyms have been opened at six places.

In addition to the Rs 100 crore allocated in the budget for Startups, the North East Development Financial Institute and the State Government have set aside Rs 15 crore each for the Startups.

Thus the total capital available for Startups has now reached Rs 130 crore, Biren said.

Credit Guarantee Fund as well as Venture Fund have been launched and the Manipur Vision 2047 has been published so as to elicit public opinions, he said.

Old Age Pension given to people above 80 years was raised from Rs 200 to Rs 1000.Disability pension was also raised from Rs 350 to Rs 500 per month.

For the first time in the entire North East, Airtel's 5G network was launched in Manipur this year.

Results of a number of recruitment exams were announced this year including the recruitment of 1830 IRB personnel, 123 posts of Social Welfare, 84 posts of RD and 82 of MPSC.

A web portal for Inner Line Permit was launched and one can now apply online for ILP, Biren added.