Master plan for Manipur river basin soon: Awangbow
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 12 2024: Water Resources minister Awangbow Newmai informed the State Assembly that a master plan for Manipur River basin currently being prepared with help of relevant ministry for a long-term solution to the problem of flood is likely to be completed by November this year.

In his reply MLA Thangjam Arunkumar's query regarding damages caused by the recent flood during Question Hour on the last day of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly's 6th session on Monday, minister Awangbow acknowledged that many residential pockets under Wangkhei assembly constituency were affected during the recent flood in the state.

The minister informed that the government has been implementing flood mitigation project and preparing a master plan for Manipur River Basin under the Flood Management Border Area (FMBAP) scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti's department of water resources as a long-term plan for controlling flood.

Apart from this, the state government has been taking up rejuvenation of retention basin and preparation for construction of reservoir/dams, the minister said.

Further stating that the government has been initiating measures as mandated under Flood Early Warning System.(FLEWS) and taking steps for swift mobilization of flood fighting equipment/machinery and manpower in vulnerable areas to tackle natural calamities and minimise damages in the future, he said that flow of Naga Nula remains blocked in Namdulong, Gaipunam and Ragailong areas and accordingly de-siltation/dredging work is being taken up by the department.

According to the minister, Imphal river bank from Lamlong to Minuthong is vulnerable but the entire area cannot be covered under FMDAP.

However, the department is prepared to prevent overflow and breaching of river banks awaiting activation of the master plan.

On a query by MLA K Leishiyo regarding DIET infrastructure, education minister Th Basantakumar informed that 95 percent physical and 88 percent financial progresss have been achieved so far for the construction of DIET Centre at Kasom Khulen sub-divisional headquarters.

He also assured of completing the project by October this year.

To MLA K Leishiyo's another poser regarding collection of revenue in respect of Kam-jong district, chief minister N Biren informed the House that Kamjong district secured 8th position among 16 districts of the state in terms of collection of GST, Forest, Professional Tax, Land Revenue, Excise and Hills House Tax in the fiscal year 2022-23 and 4th position in the fiscal year 2023-24.However, Kamjong district contributed highest in collection of revenue by forest department with Rs 7.82 crore and Rs 18.64 crore respectively recovered in the year 2022-23 and 2023-24 .

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