Source: Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sep 15: Manipur has been included under the special category state and the state has been receiving funds under normal and special plan assistance from time to time. The NLCPR is one such assistance provided to Manipur for speedy infrastructural development in the state. However, the serious concern in the development process of the state is poor utilization of funds and militancy which has hampered the development of the state to a great extent.
This was stated by Ranjan Chatterjee, consultant, Planning Commission of India, while speaking at the “Manipur: The Way Forward” seminar held at the Hotel Classic in Imphal today. He also added that the state should develop its own resources to match the growing economic demands.
The consultant of Planning Commission of India also observed that the people of the state do not get the benefits of almost 90 percent of development funds sanctioned by the Central government.
He further stated that in view of slow economic growth rate of Manipur the Central government has granted Rs. 750 crores under SPA, Rs. 500 crores under Finance Minister’s assistance for the NE states and Rs. 600 crores for the six ADCs of the state under PM’s development fund.
Ranjan also highlighted that the works entrusted to the BRO for the development of NH-53 will be completed by 2013 and the railway line from Jiribam to Tupul will also be completed by 2014 along with extension of the said railway line to Imphal by 2016. The integrated check post and a new branch of United Bank of India will also be set up at the border town of Moreh, he said.
The planning advisor of NEC, J. Lhungdim stated that the state government should enforce a law that will penalize those persons imposing bandhs or blockade in the state as in the case of Meghalaya government which has declared bandh as illegal.
He also favoured the amendment of AFSPA in view of tackling human rights violation by security forces in the state and added that the state government should take up concrete measures to redress the grievances of the people of the state.
Further, Lhungdim opined that sale of liquor should be legalized in the state so as to boost revenue collection instead of liquor being sold extensively as illegal item in the so called dry state of Manipur.
Eminent personalities from various fields including academics, media, government and NGOs presented papers on various aspects related to peace processes, governance, fiscal reforms, financial inclusion and mainstreaming.
The paper presenters in the peace session moderated by commissioner V. Vumlunmang were Niketu Iralu and Lokendra Arambam on the topic “Process for peace: Where do we go?”, Dr. Vijayalakshmi Brara and Valley Rose on the topic “Women’s voices in negotiating for peace”, and Justice (Retd) WA Shishak and Prof. Sadananda on the topic “Peace Road Map from Senior Citizens”.
The paper presenters on governance issues moderated by chief secretary DS Poonia were Prof. Gangmumei Kamei and Dr. Linus Neli on the topic “Hill area governance”, Dr. Dhanabir Laishram, Dr. Bimol Akoijam and T. Lunkim on the topic “Partnerships for governance: The civil society perspective”, and DGP Y. Joykumar and Maj Gen CA Krishnan on the topic “Policing and governance”.
The paper presenters on marginalization and mainstreaming moderated by principal secretary R. Muivah were Prof. Amar Yumnam on the topic “Nongpok thong hangba: Panacea for land locked economy”, editor of Imphal Free Press Pradip Phanjoubam on the topic “Media spaces and dynamics in times of conflict”, and Yambem Laba and Rupachandra Yumnam on the topic “Media mainstreaming: Let us look ahead”.
The paper presenters in the session on role and significance of the youths of Manipur moderated by Dr. Bijoy Elangbam were the volunteers for Manipur on the topic “Youth of Manipur: Role and significance”.