PM to inaugurate projects in Manipur

Our Correspondent Imphal, Jan. 3 (EMN): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate couple of projects including integrated check post at Moreh and Dolaithabi barrage project at Maraori area besides laying foundation stone on some projects in Manipur during his visit in Manipur on January 4. Necessary preparations are on apart from taking up necessary security measures after the armed groups operating in the state announced to boycott visit of the Prime Minister, who is also scheduled to address a public meeting at Hafta Kangjeibung in Imphal. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress party has sought clarification from the visiting Prime Minister in connection with the assurances and promises he and his party made during their previous visits and election rallies in the state. Addressing a hurriedly called press conference at Congress Bhavan in Imphal, former chief minister and leader of Congress legislature party, Okram Ibobi Singh, pointed out at the vision documents of the BJP which promised to give the pay recommended by 7th pay commission to state employees, provide 1.5 lakh jobs for the state etc. Ibobi alleged that there has been no visible sign for the proposed national sports university apart from scrapping special category status of NE states including Manipur. He stated that Manipur lost more than INR 2000 crores during the current financial year due to scrapping of special category status. Referring to the Prime Minister in his 2017 election campaign near Imphal, wherein he challenged that what the Congress government cannot do in 15 years would be done in 15 months if BJP comes to power, Ibobi stated that the present government is only inaugurating works which were started or on the verge of completion by the previous government. He claimed that except for few women markets in the district headquarters, there was no initiative taken up in the state. Echoing similar sentiment, council leaders of Communist Party of India, Manipur state, expressed unhappiness over the slow progress of development works in the state. CPI leaders felt that the people are not expecting much from the visit. Meanwhile, Khundrakpam constituency MLA L Lokeshwor expressed concern over the state government’s alleged failure to conduct trial of the Dolaithabi project prior to its inauguration.