CM launches alternative farming system
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, December 15 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh today introduced an 'alternative farming system' specially for jhum cultivators and poppy planters apart from launching the Chief Minister's Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (CMMHS) and the Chief Minister's Mitki Layeng (CMML) today.

Launching the CMMHS and the CMML at Wangkhei High School, Chief Minister N Biren stated that the State Government is giving priority to health and education sectors and as such, various schemes have been taken up for the development of the two sectors.

The Chief Minister also announced integration of CMML and National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) with the Chief Minister's Health for All.

He continued that education and awareness on menstrual cycle is very important for women and taking care of it helps in healthy development and growth of adolescent girls.

Stating that the world is changing fast, the Chief Minister stated that girls need not feel shy of talking about menstrual cycle and related problems, if there is any.

He added that not only medical staff but teachers also have an important role in educating girl students on menstrual cycle.

He also mentioned that the State Government would try to cover all the schools of the State under CMMHS soon.

N Biren further maintained that his Government always fulfils its commitment given to the public and added that Wangkhei High School had been upgraded to the level of a Higher Secondary School as announced earlier.

He continued that the State Government had sent a proposal to upgrade the infrastructure of 275 High Schools and 35 Higher Secondary Schools under the Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North East region (PM-DevINE).

The Chief Minister appreciated health staff and ASHAs of the State for the selfless service rendered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also gave credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the achievements of the State stating that all the initiatives had been taken up under the guidance of the Prime Minister.

He spoke on the benefits provided to the people through Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) and Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

Biren continued that the people of Manipur have the habit of ignoring health problems until it becomes serious and fatal.

As such, the State Government had started the Chief Minister's Health for All Scheme to ensure early detection and early treatment of diseases.

Door to door visit by health staff and testing are done under the scheme.

So far, more than 800 villages with around 3.5 lakh people have been covered under the scheme.

Biren mentioned that the Government has constructed open gyms at various places considering the importance of healthcare.

He further spoke on the campaigns carried out by the Government for preserving nature and mitigating global warming.

Appreciating the role of women of Manipur in shaping the society and their achievements, the Chief Minister informed that the State Cabinet had taken a decision to focus on women's power and showcase it to representatives of G-20 countries during their visit to the State.

He appealed to the public to support the Government initiatives to develop the State and make Manipur a model State in the entire country.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, while delivering his presidential speech, congratulated the Health Department on receiving the best performance award in tele-consultations category of Health and Wellness Centers (Small State) on Universal Health Coverage Day 2022 held at Varanasi recently.

He added that the award is the result of the Chief Minister's initiatives and concern for the healthcare sector.

Dr Sapam Ranjan informed that the CMMHS will cover all schools soon.

Elaborating on the benefits to be given under CMML scheme, he informed that the State has set a target of performing 3000 cataract surgery in 2022-23, adding that the state has done around 2850 surgery so far.

He also expressed hopefulness that an eye bank will be launched in the state soon.

During the programme, the Chief Minister distributed 14 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, one each for Kamjong district, Tengnoupal district, Noney district, Pherzawl district, Thoubal district, Bishnupur district, Imphal East district, Imphal West district, Ukhrul district, Senapati district, Tamenglong district, Churachandpur district, Chandel district and one for Directorate of Health central pool.

He also distributed kits for door-to-door campaign of CMML and NTEP.

The programme was attended by Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata, Education Minister Th Basanta Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary V Vumlunmang, Director, Health Services Dr Kh Sasheekumar Mangang, State Mission Director, NHM Dr Somorjit Ningombam, doctors, health staff, teachers and students, among others.

The Chief Minister also launched an Alternative Farming System for jhum cultivators and poppy planters of Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Noney, Tamenglong, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tengnoupal and Chandel.

He also distributed Rabi crop seeds, nursery items and tools and equipment to 17 registered farmers' societies from Senapati, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Kamjong, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Tamenglong and Noney.

The programme was organised by Eastern Border Areas Development Authority (EBADA), Government of Manipur under the funding of North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong.

Biren raised concern on the impact of global warming adding that the State's weather pattern has changed.

He cited large scale deforestation and setting up of big industries as major reasons for the climate change and emergence of new diseases.

Mentioning the theme of India's G20 presidency "One Earth, One Family, One Future", he stated that India has taken up various measures to conserve nature and the environment.

The Chief Minister spoke on the growing need for replacing jhum cultivation with terraced cultivation.

He also informed that the State Government has started providing alternative crops for poppy planters.

Talking on the importance of preserving the Loktak Lake, Biren informed that a team of Asian Development Bank (ADB) is in the State and they are doing research on how to preserve the lake.

Saying that some NGOs operating under foreign funding are trying to disturb development works taking place in the State, Biren warned that the Government would not spare them.

Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Letpao Haokip stated that the State had witnessed less production in hill areas and as such the Chief Minister had taken up various initiatives to promote horticulture products in hill areas.

"The State has been depending on other States for various household products.

Proper plantation in the hill region can substitute our imports for necessary household products", he added.

He stressed the need to grow high value products and added that this could help in enhancing the earning of the people.

Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, MLA of Ukhrul AC Ram Muivah, MLA of Singhat AC Chinlunthang, Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar and Additional Chief Secretary P Vaiphei, Deputy Commissioners and representatives of farmer-producer societies also attended the programme.

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