Imphal, November 10: While observing that no one would come to set up industries in Manipur if there is no sufficient power, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has stated that those who are opposing to Tipaimukh Dam are those who have not even visited the site all their life.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the occasion of laying the foundation stone of a Food Processing Industrial Park to be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 13.62 crores at Nilakuthi today.

The park is to be set up in place of the earlier proposal of setting up Manipur Drug Formulation Plant there.

Along with utilising the same buildings that have been built for Manipur Drug Formulation Plant, an additional 17 acres of land has also been acquired for the purpose.

In his address as chief guest of the function, Ibobi said the anti-dam lobbyists cannot come to terms with the fact that there is no other alternative than to construct the Tipaimukh project in order to generate the required power.

How an industry can be run in a place where there is no power ? And who is going to come to set up any industries in such a situation ?, the CM countered.

While informing that anti-dam lobbyists from Senapati and Ukhrul district have been called for talks, the Chief Minister informed that during the course of the talks it has come to light that these people have not even visited Tipaimukh.

Those who are threatening to call bandh over the issue might not be even knowing where Tipaimukh is located, the Chief Minister claimed.

On the other hand, the villagers of the area where the project is to be set up as well as people of six other constituencies which would be affected by the project have been urging the Government to begin the construction of the dam, he said, adding that comparison with the case of Loktak Project with Tipaimukh dam would be a fallacy as the former was a mistake of the then Government and the people.

It does not mean that the same mistake would be committed in case of Tipaimukh, he added.

The Chief Minister appealed to the people to come up with good suggestion instead of threatening to launch agitation.

People should not be swept away by the instigation of some vested interested groups and should never forget that there is rule of law, he said, while assuring that the present Government would never take up any project which would be detrimental to the well-being of the people.

Chief Secretary has also been given the necessary instruction to clear the doubts and misunderstanding of the people in consultation with University professors, experts and NEEPCO officials, he disclosed.

With frequent calling of bandhs and blockades, Delhi has started viewing such agitation as a normal affairs of the State and its people, Ibobi said, while dissuading people to restrain from taking recourse to agitation over any issue.

Government of India is not going to spend Rs 7000 cores on Tipaimukh project to destroy Manipur.

It is only for the welfare of Manipur, the Chief Minister remarked.

The Chief Minister further said it is high time for the people to create a conducive atmosphere where they could work hard instead of being mislead on any issues by some vested interested parties.

On the proposed Food Park, the Chief Minister said learning from the experiences of other failed industries set up in Manipur, this particular project has been taken up with a new hope.

Commerce and Industries Minister N Mangi who presided over the function announced that there would be 40 to 50 processing units in the project to be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 13.62 crores.

The UP Jana Ningam Limited has also been entrusted with the task of infrastructural constructions of the proposed Park, he added.

Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board N Biren Singh was also present at the occasion as guest of honour.

Targeted to be commissioned by next year, of the total estimated cost of Rs 13.62 crores, the Centre has released Rs 1.60 crores while another Rs 2.72 crores by the State Government.

Moreover, an amount of Rs 6.89 crores would be taken as loan from Rural Infrastructure Development Fund of NABARD.

The State Government had earlier planned to set up a similar food park at Iroisemba during 2000-01.CM on Mayek impasse: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has stated that impasse over the recruitment primary teachers could be resolved easily through talks, so the Government would not remain quiet if the MEELAL continues with its destructive protest agitation.

Talking to reporters on the sideline of laying the foundation stone of a Food Processing Industrial Park at Nilakuthi today, the Chief Minister said the Government cannot say whether the authorities which are issuing Meetei Mayek certificates are recognised by the Government or not at the moment.

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