NEC approves Food Park DPR
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 02 2015 : Apart from giving its consent to a detail project report of Rs 9.52 crore for the establishment of a food park in the State, the North Eastern Council (NEC) has already released Rs 3.42 crore in the first phase, Deputy Chief Minister and Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Gaikhangam informed the House today during discussion of six demands.

The six demands tabled by Chief Minister O Ibobi were Rs 80,31,90,000 for Land Revenue, Stamps and Registration and District Administration, Rs 184,98,16,00 for Environment and Forest, Rs 55,48,08,000 for Youth Affairs and Sports, Rs 282,22,23,000 for Irrigation and Flood Control, Rs 85,20,44,000 for Horticulture and Soil Conservation and Rs 34,87,58,000 for Minorities and Other Backward Classes.

Taking part in discussing the demands, Gaikhangam underscored the growing need for producing horticultural crops which have nutritional values in view of the rising population.

The State's total area suitable for cultivation of horticultural plants is 2,77,64 hectares.

Out of this, only 12,500 hectares or 37 per cent is under cultivation.

Nonetheless, the department has set a target of expanding the cultivated area to 80 per cent by 2020 .

Once the food park which would have cold storage facilities is established, there would be no problem in storing perishable goods and this, in turn, would solve many marketing problems.

By then, farmers need not worry whether their produces would perish before they are sold, Gaikhangam asserted.

As the MLR Act has been already extended to Chandel, Moreh and Khoupum area, there is a need to consult the Hill Areas Committee whether a separate land law for hill areas should be enacted or not, stated Revenue and Forest Minister Th Debendra.

At present, 68 SDC posts are vacant.

Even though there is no Zilladar in Revenue Department, the department has been successfully collecting over Rs one crore in land revenue.

The boundary of Dzuko cannot be altered.

The process of land classification would be completed shortly, Debendra asserted.

He went on to claim that the Forest Department has been working to evict intruders who have encroached on reserved forest areas.

He also appealed to one and all to plant trees and conserve nature.

IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip claimed that inundation of Chadong village is not an issue.

Chief Minister O Ibobi stated that an FIR has been registered against a man who withdrew a substantial amount of money deposited for payment of scholarships to Muslim students under MOBC.

MOBC Department conducted an enquiry against Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman who withdrew Rs 1.67 lakh meant for payment of scholarship to minority Muslim students.

Efforts are on to nab him and recover the exact amount, Ibobi informed the House.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman who was a contract employee of MOBC withdrew the money in the name of another person using forged documents.

He is an expert counterfeiter, Ibobi stated.

Talking about Youth Affairs and Sports, a youth policy was formulated in 2011 and it was duly published in the State gazette.

Earlier, a sports policy was adopted in 1992 and under this policy several tournaments were organised in addition to giving cash incentives to sports persons who excel in their respective disciplines.

Moreover, seats are reserved for excellent sports persons in educational institutions.

Apart from providing Government jobs to sports persons who win gold medals at National and international levels, they are also given promotions from time to time based on their performances.

Construction of mini sports complexes in different districts of the State is on the brink of completion, Ibobi added.

Earlier, raising cut motions, Dr I Ibohalbi asked who is controlling the land market in Manipur.

He urged the Government to classify different places as industrial area, agricultural land and commercial zones.

While pointing out the fraudulent withdrawal of fund from MOBC, Dr Ibohalbi went on to ask if any Government agency is guarding forest and forest resources.

L Ibomcha sought attention of the Government to enact land law for hill areas so that private individuals can become lawful owners of their homesteads and farms.

He also urged the Government to collect house tax properly and regularly.

Planting trees is not enough.

It is equally important to ensure that the trees grow to maturity, Ibomcha said.

K Shyam sought more funds for YAS.

He also demanded strengthening of embankments of rivers draining Imphal city.

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