Imphal, December 21 2010: Project reports for various development programmes taken up in Manipur are prepared after taking into account the shares of various underground outfits' operating in the North East region, stated North Eastern Council Planning Advisor J Lhungdim.

Addressing the gathering at the inaugural function of a wind-solar hybrid power project at Tingkai Khullen in Sadar Hills today, Lhundim sserted that project reports of various development programmes taken up in Manipur, particularly those taken up under NEC funding, are prepared after adding UGs' shares.

When asked about these inflated project costs, State officials usually cited law and order problem, Lhungdim said.

He also accused the State Government of flouting rules and guidelines while executing NEC sponsored projects in the State.

Even in bitumen laying works, the bitumen layer is wafer thin.

This is quite uncommon in other States, he observed.

In view of the manner projects are executed in Manipur, NEC was reluctant to allocate funds to the State.

It is doubtful whether NEC would continue funding projects in Manipur a few years hence, the NEC Planning Advisor cautioned.

In his address, MP Thangso Baite who was the chief guest of the function, said that development can be guaranteed if there is peace.

Proposing that Kuki people should be encouraged to build houses and settle, the MP said that for any settlement having at least 100 households, the Govt would take up welfare schemes and development programmes gradually.

It is impossible to fulfill all the aspirations on a single day, he added.

In his speech, Sadar Hills ADC Sh Seipu said that plans are afoot to build 50 school buildings in each ADC.

Under this plan, a new school building will be constructed at Tingkai Khullen.

MANIREDA Director L Manglem said that MANIREDA has so far electrified more than 200 villages.

The hydrid power project inaugurated today was taken up by MANIREDA in collaboration with the Tingkai Khullen Village Authority Committee under the sponsorship of Ministry of New Renewable Energy and North Eastern Council.

Talking to media persons, Tingkai Khullen Village Energy Committee chairman Nehkholam Haokip said that he would not like to put up night at Imphal these days.

"At Imphal valley, there are long hours when there was no supply but here at Tingkai Khullen, we have uninterrupted electricity supply from 5 in the evening till 5 am of the next day", Nehkholam said.

He said that village children can now read their books in electric light besides watching television in free time.

Tingkai Khullen was already electrified before Naga-Kuki clash but the village was abandoned because of the clash leading to de-electrification of the village.

The villagers came back and re-settled in the village in 2001 .

Now, the newly installed hybrid power project is providing electricity to each household of the village at the rate of two bulbs per household.

The village energy committee has also decided to collect a tax of Rs 50 per household per month for the electric supply, the chairman said.

The inaugural function was also attended by ex-Minister Ngamthang Haokip and Science and Technology Commissioner H Ibomcha.

Comment