CM eyes upgrading Moreh to an ultra modern town
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 18 2012: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has pledged to make Moreh a modern town of international standard.

The State Government has already identified the areas which should be acquired for development and expansion of Moreh town.

He made this statement during a meeting with Advisor to the Prime Minister, TKA Nair today.

The Prime Minister's Advisor arrived here today to conduct a direct assessment of the potential of border trade between India and Myanmar through Moreh ahead of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's scheduled visit to Myanmar.

Commerce and Industries Minister K Govindas and local MLA Korungthang visited Moreh and had initiated the process of land acquisition for development of Moreh as a modern town.

For this, necessary funds/loans would be sought from Urban Development Ministry, the Chief Minister told the PM's Advisor.

During the meeting, Ibobi urged TKA Nair to persuade the Director General of Foreign Trade to allow import of teak timbers from Myanmar so that a teak park can be developed at Moreh where teak furniture of finest quality can be manufactured.

Advisor to the PM, TKA Nair at Namphalong in Myanmar

The Advisor to the Prime Minister proposed that the State Government form a committee headed by the Principal Secretary within two months so that the Director General of Foreign Trade can issue a notification for enhancing the scope of border between India and Myanmar.

Elaborating that officials of DGFT, MHA and BRO should be included in the committee, the Advisor hinted that a memorandum of understanding for introducing Imphal-Mandalay bus service may be signed during the Prime Minister's visit to Myanmar.

BRO DG S Ravi who came here together with the Prime Minister's Advisor stated that BRO can construct/develop 71 bridges that link different sections of Tamu-Mandalay highway, provided the Government of Myanmar gives the mandatory sanction.

TKA Nair also held another meeting with the Chief Secretary and other top officials of the Government in the conference hall of Old Secretariat.

The main agenda of the meeting was again Indo-Myanmar cross border trade.

The Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industries) made a presentation before the Advisor to the Prime Minister about India's Look East Policy and the existing situation of Manipur.

Earlier, Advisor TKA Nair visited Moreh in a helicopter.

He was received by Transport Minister Govindas Konthoujam and local MLA D Korungthang at the border town.

After inspecting the land custom office, the Prime Minister's Advisor visited the border trade office of Tamu across the international border.

There he talked with many officers about the border trade.

The Advisor was also taken around Tamu town by Tamu Border Trade secretary Aye Ko.

The Advisor's entourage to Tamu town included Anup K Pujari of DGFT, Rajesh Kumar (MHA), 25 BRTF CO Mohanlal, DIG Th Chandramani, 9 AR CO Rohit Khare, SP Chandel E Priyokumar, Addl SP M Mubi and Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industries) O Nabakishore.

Coming back from Tamu, TKA Nair was also shown Namphalong market.

At Moreh Trade Centre, the Advisor to the Prime Minister held a meeting with Indian traders where many traders shared their experiences about the border trade.

After listening to all the complaints put up by traders, TKA Nair assured that all the grievances would be looked into.

Border Trade and Chambers of Commerce, Moreh secretary Surender Singh Patheja apprised the Advisor about different problems besetting Moreh including electricity and telecommunication problems.