NEC's 69th plenary meeting : CM Biren seeks special scheme for poppy growers
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, January 23 2021: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has urged the Central Government to fence the undisputed stretch of Indo-Myanmar border to control smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal immigration etc.

He was speaking at the 69th plenary meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) at Shillong today.

Chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the meeting was attended by the Governors and the Chief Ministers of all the North East States and DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and other Union Ministers.

In his speech, N Biren urged the Centre to approve the Ordinance on Psychotropic Substances Amend- ment, which had already been referred to the President by the Governor of Manipur.

NEC's 69th plenary meeting

He also requested the Union Home Minister to introduce a special scheme for poppy growers in order to provide them alternative livelihoods.

Biren also sought assistance from the Centre in developing the INA Memorial Complex, Moirang as a world-class memorial site on the land being acquired for expansion of the present complex.

He pressed for early completion of Jiribam-Tupul railway project and development of its main station at Imphal.

Biren began his speech by expressing heartfelt thankfulness on behalf of the Government of Manipur to the Union Home Minister for his prompt assistance in controlling the fierce wildfire at Dzuko.

He said that the amount allocated under 10% Gross Budgetary Support for NEC is not sufficient.

He reiterated his earlier suggestion to allow access to unutilized resources from 10% Gross Budgetary Support of Central Ministries.

Informing the Union Home Minister that infrastructure development for promotion of tourism per se is not included in the NESIDS guidelines, Biren observed that NEC may consider covering the same for comprehensive development of the tourism sector.

He also requested to extend HADP to the remaining eight hill districts of the State.

The Chief Minister also appealed for Central intervention so as to facilitate necessary clearance for World Bank funding of Integrated Sewerage System, Loktak Lake eco-tourism and Rejuvenation of Lamphelpat water body.

He urged the Union Ministry of Agriculture for re-survey in Jiribam and Tengnoupal districts for Oil Palm Mission Manipur.

He further sought approval of the proposal for expanding the potential areas under Horticulture with a total project cost of Rs 227 submitted to DoNER Ministry for development of Value Chain Systems and Integrated Farming in shifting cultivation areas.

Biren requested for approval of Rs 126 crore submitted for Five Year Plan for Development of Bamboo in Manipur.

The Chief Minister later visited the ancient royal property of the kings of Manipur at Rajbari, Shillong and made a first hand assessment of the various issues surrounding the property.

He visited the Ibudhou Pakhangba Shanglen located inside the property.

The Chief Minister was visibly moved by the dilapidated condition of the old buildings and on seeing the bricks inscribed with Meitei script.

He appealed to the tenants to come to a settlement so that the land could be reverted to the State Government for its upkeep and development.