Our Correspondent
Imphal, March 21: Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla addressing the first session of the 11 th Manipur Legislative Assembly here today, said the Government is fully committed to establishing a pro-people government for the service and welfare of the people of Manipur. Towards this end, the Government will make efforts to ensure a bandh and blockade free Manipur for unhindered all-round development of the State.During her address, the Governor asserted that her government will make all out efforts to make Manipur one of the most developed states in the region by harnessing the potential benefit of ‘Act East Policy’ of the Government of India which will lead to peaceful and prosperous State with all the communities living harmoniously.
“To address the issues of unemployment and insurgency faced by the State, my government will utilise resources of the state in creation of employment for the youth through skill development and capacity building in both the organised and unorganised sectors,” said the Governor.
On Planning and Finance, the Governor said that the state had a tentative plan size of Rs 4,349.55 crore and based on the likely availability of additional resources, it has been revised to Rs 5,255.27 crore including Rs 2,613.77 crore as Central share for various centrally sponsored schemes. “Priority continues to be accorded to development of infrastructure, particularly economic infrastructure,” the Governor added.
To ensure inclusive growth, due importance is accorded to all round development and reducing regional imbalance, the Governor said while adding, “Ministry of Development of North East has supported projects in the areas of health, power, roads and bridges, sports,water supply, etc.” In addition to the efforts of the State government for infrastructure development in border villages of Ukhrul, Churachandpur and Chandel, various infrastructure projects focusing on road connectivity, health infrastructure, school education, drinking water, sanitation and livelihood activities in agriculture and allied sectors are taken up Border Area Development Programme.
“With the merger of plan and non-plan from 2017-18 onwards, the State Government has decided to prepare the Budget Document, 2017-18 on the basis of Capital and revenue expenditure/outlay,” she said.
Pointing out that, the fiscal deficit and outstanding debt during 2015-16 as a percentage of Gross State Domestic Product stood at 1.71 % and 39.14 % respectively, the Governor said that the fiscal deficit was within the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act ceiling of 3% of GSDP. However, the State’s fiscal situation has come under severe stress during the current year, she said.
“We shall take all measures that are necessary to restore fiscal balance so that the process of growth and development can be accelerated to a higher level,” she said. Emphasising that a network of good and all weather roads is vital for the socio- economic development of the State, the Governor said that her government will work towards improving the road network and making them all weather roads in every district of the State.
Improvement of NHs is the priority of the government. MoRTH will be impressed upon to execute the improvement works with full earnestness. In order to improve regional air connectivity in the State, a MoU was signed between the GoM and Ministry of Civil Aviation for introduction of helicopter Services, she said while adding, “There is good progress in construction of Jiribam-Tupul railway line.”
On the law and order front, the Governor said Manipur police has achieved commendable results on the counter-insurgency front despite immense problems like shortage of man-power, infrastructure and other logistic constraints.
She said that her government will ensure effective implementation of NFSA in the State and the selection of beneficiaries will be made in a transparent manner as per norms of the Act.
The Governor said her government will work towards providing free education to women till graduation. The Government is also in the process of establishing a new Government Polytechnic in every district of Manipur under Central government assistance and an Engineering college under RUSA, she said.
On Power Reforms, the Governor said that 24×7 power for all’ with quality, reliability and affordability is committed by her government. Out of 2,582 villages in Manipur as per 2011 census, 2,424 villages are electrified as on December 2016 and remaining 158 villages will be covered in the near future, the Governor said and added that all the urban households and 80 % of rural households have access to power and the rest shall be covered by 2019.
On Agriculture and Allied Sector and Natural Resources, the Governor said her government is committed to improving agricultural productivity by promoting modern technology and techniques, encouraging use of sustainable methods, inputs and supporting the farmers under various schemes.
In order to facilitate effective implementation of Mission Organic Value Chain Development, the Manipur Organic Mission Agency has been created in the State under which farmers are mobilised to promote production of certified organic commodities focussing on specific crops.
Guinness world record was created by the State by fitting 3,911 persons with hearing aids in the first 8 hours on November 5, 2016 and enabling many people to lead normal life.
Under SBM (U), four towns of the State have been declared Open Defecation free till date and the target is to declare all the urban areas of Manipur as Open Defecation free before the end of the mission period, ie, October 2, 2017.
Payment through banks for MGNREGA is now 100 % in the six valley districts.However, in the hill districts, due to non-availability of bank/post offices, payment of wages is made through Village Authority.
Promotion and preservation of rich Manipur cultural, to promote artistes and enhance technical quality and content of films produced in the State are some achievements of the government as highlighted by the Governor. Also, under e-District project, citizens can now avail services like issue of birth certificate, ST/SC/OBC certificate etc without having to go physically to the concerned offices. “My government is committed to improve the digital or internet connectivity all over the State,” the Governor said.
