Rs 300 Cr fund-boost for hill areas
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 20 2013: With the Central Government providing Rs 300 crore to specifically complete pending composite schemes in the hill districts, the State Government will soon initiate construction of SDO offices attached with banking facility component and security barracks capable of housing atleast 60 personnel within the current fiscal, said Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Inaugurating State bank of India (SBI), Gamnom Saparmeina branch in Sadar Hills today, the Chief Minister said SDO office complexes inclusive of banking facilities would be established in all the sub-divisional headquarters of the hill districts.

Affirming that Government of Manipur is committed to expanding banking networks in every corner of the State, including the most remote locations of the hill districts, he expressed confidence that enabling the common people access banking facilities would facilitate beneficiaries of MGNREGS programmes open their own bank accounts and reap the scheme benefits directly.

Chief Minister cutting ribbons

further conveying that for judicious implementation of various welfare programmes existence welfare programmes existence of administrative offices atleast at the sub-divisional level is mandatory for which SDO offices with staff quarter facility would be developed, he said construction of security barracks as a component of the project is equally important on security reason.

Ensuring electricity connectivity and provision of drinking water scheme to these administrative blocks are inclusive component of the composite project to be implemented with the Central Government allocation of Rs 300, explained the Chief Minister while conveying elation that the newly established SBI branch would effectively eliminate monetary-related transaction inconveniences previously faced by people of Sadar Hills.

Confiding that another composite scheme having banking facility would soon be established in Tamei sub-division, he asserted that the State Government is determined to implement development projects in a judicious manner.

Appealing to the local populace for continuous cooperation to the Government's endeavour for all-round development of the State, the CM exuded confidence that SBI officials will ensure will also contribute their mite in ensuring the common people enjoy all banking facilities.

With regard to the Government's plan for improving the power supply situation, he informed that power stations of 132/33 KV each would be developed in Tamenglong district and Moreh town of Chandel district at a total estimated cost of Rs 70 crores.

confiding that the Government is planning to set up a power sub station at Gamnom Saparmeina, Ibobi also asserted that priority would be on setting up a Rs 6 crore water supply scheme that would cover 15 villages of Gamnom Saparmeina, under NLCPR.

Apart from the Government committed to ensuring basic amenities in the hill areas such as health-care centres, power connectivity, drinking water facility and accelerate development in the education sector, he affirmed that construction of staff quarters for primary teachers would be undertaken on a war footing.

Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Ngamthang Haokip, who also spoke at the occasion, pledged that he would take all possible measures to ensure that the Gamnom Saparmeina SBI unit do not face any security-related problems and smoothly serve the people.

He also suggested that SBI officials take relevant measures for opening an ATM booth at the bank complex at the earliest.

Saikul AC MLA Yamthong Haokip, Kangpokpi AC MLA Nemcha Kipgen, Sadar Hills ADC chairman Haokholal Hangshing and AGM (Regional Manager) of SBI Regional Business office (Imphal) James Thatlinga also attended the inauguration programme of the SBI branch.