IMPHAL, October 7: The visiting team of the 14th Finance Commission led by its chairman Dr Y V Reddy convened a high level meeting with top officials of the finance department of Manipur including the Chief Minister who also holds the finance portfolio this morning, at the Old Secretariat conference hall.
The meeting which started at 10 am lasted till 1 pm and was attended by the council of ministers and top officials of the state including Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, Director General of Police Manipur MK Das, Additional Chief Secretary, RR Rashmi and other high ranking officials of the state.
Sources informed that during the meeting, the state had put up a proposal for increase in funds for both Plan and Non-Plan grants which cover a major chunk of developmental works of the state.
Additional Chief Secretary (finance), RR Rashmi also put up a Power Point Presentation, it added.
Meanwhile a Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) press statement has said that Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and other officials concerned of the state, apprised the special needs and difficulties of the state before the 14th Finance Commission team.
In his deliberation, the CM highlighted the importance of security in the state and sought special consideration on security, it said.
The CM had continued that during the past 15 years, the state has completely banned direct recruitment to other departments except Home and some other two departments, it said.
The CM further elaborated that for implementation of big projects, role of security personnel are really needed, it said.
The CM also added that the inadequate deployment of security has created a bottleneck in opening of more branches in the hills/far flug areas, it said.
The NE states specially Manipur is economically backward in developmental works since it is very far away from the mainland, and added that special attention of Finance Commission is a must, said the DIPR release.
Elaborating further on the problems of the state, the CM had highlighted that 47percent of the whole population is under BPL till 2010 and the government is the only employer to the educated youth of the state, it said.
The CM also deliberated on the non adoption of the 6th pay commission in toto when the central government has already announced for adoption of the 7th Pay Commission and sought special considerations on security, it said. Regarding non-adoption of pay commission fully in the state, the CM clarified for non-sufficient resources in Manipur adding that while the Central Government has enhanced DA to its employees twice per annum, the state government could not implement the same which have compelled the employees to launch cease work strikes, it said.
The CM also asked for the protection of ecology and environment of the state urging before the delegation that a special grant should be extended to the state in this regard.
Further, the CM also highlighted to the Commission members about the achievements of the state on mortality rate which is the lowest rate in the nation, literacy rate that is higher than the national rate, laurels in the field of sports, the potential for gateway to South East Asia, Nation’s Look East Policy and few others.