Our Correspondent
Kangpokpi, April 26 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh on Wednesday announced an economic package of Rs 185 crore for development of newly created Kangpokpi District in the state.
Chief Minister made the announcement during a felicitation cum Blessing ceremony at Brigadier Thomas Ground at this picturesque Kangpokpi town,about 45 km north of Imphal.
In his public address, Biren said the package for development of Kangpokpi include a henu’s(women) market, road construction, hospital, water supply, ITI, girls hostel, power supply projects, etc., for Kangpokpi. In his Ukhrul visit on April 11, he announced a package of Rs 201 crore worth development projects.To monitor the various developmental works in each district, he said that the government would assign Principal Secretaries to supervise the District Commissioners to have better governance in hill districts of the state.
He also appealed to the people and others to extend maximum cooperation while taking up development activities besides helping the government employees posted in the hill districts.
“This government is for the public. So how can we run a government without people? So before calling a bandh or strike please come forward to talk with us. Our doors will be open 24X7 for talks and negotiations,” he said. “Let the development process roll first. But it does not mean that we will ignore the issues. We will definitely discuss the issues. Let’s try to change our mindset as the god gave this government for the public.”
Stating that government is trying its best to provide alternatives to replace firewood etc, Chief Minister also appealed to conserve the forest of Kangpokpi area for a better future.
Works minister Th Biswajit and Kangpokpi ADC chairman Haokholal Hangshing also spoke on the occasion which was attended by 8 cabinet ministers and 9 parliamentary secretaries.
It may be recalled that the new government plans to observe 15th of every month as ‘Meeyamgi Numit’(People’s Day) to provide the public an easy access to the elected representatives and top bureaucrats to lodge their complaints and air their grievances while 10th of every month for hill representatives.
Prior to his public address, Chief Minister accompanied by couple of ministers and parliamentary secretary also opened District Information Office and District Social Welfare Office at Kangpokpi DC office complex. Now DIPR Manipur has District Information Offices in Kangpokpi, Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts and a Manipur Information Centre at New Delhi. The State Government is yet to open District Information Offices at Jiribam, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Pherzawl and Noney districts.
Earlier Chief Minister Biren Singh was accorded a warm welcome by a large number of people during his maiden visit after becoming the Chief Minister, to Kangpokpi.
The Chief Minister and his entourage were also given a rousing welcome by the people at Gangiphai and Kalapahar by erecting welcome gates, before reaching main reception venue at Kangpokpi town.
Braving the incessant rain, large number of men, women, children mostly students were seen standing on the road sides to welcome the Chief Minister by holding playcards which read ‘Welcome CM N Biren’ and ‘Long Live N Biren’.
