Minister endorses opposition MLA’s effort to develop Andro
IMPHAL, June 29: “The socio-economic potential of the youth is an important factor to show the strength and power of a State. So we need to develop our socio-economic condition and the youth must work hard to strengthen the state’s economy.”
This was stated by Commerce and Industry minister Govindas Konthoujam during the opening ceremony of the five-day-long 7th State Level Pineapple Fair cum Youth festival , 2014 at Thambalnu Market in Andro .
The fair is being organised by the Andro Kendra Development Organisation.
Manipur is endowed with a rich culture heritage, and flora and fauna and Andro MLA Shyamkumar showcases this gift of nature and highlights it to other people, he added.
Endorsing Shyamkumar for his tireless effort to develop the Andro Kendra after becoming an MLA, he expressed hope that one day Andro will shine and reap the benefits of his hard works and emerge as one of the most developed constituencies in the State.
Manipur plays a significant role in the Look East Policy of the Indian government. It will connect India with other South East Asian countries as the main gateway because Manipur is near Mandalay and people can easily head to other Asian countries from here.
Geographically and topographically, Manipur is located near the Myanmar border. Some experts say that only Champhai in Mizoram connects Asian Highways 1 and 2 to other Asian countries. If the AH-1 and 2 only passes through Manipur, all trade will not succeed. But Manipur will be the trading port along the AH 1 and 2.
“So, we need to improve our work culture which is lacking among Manipuri people and youth. This will also help in checking the influx of outsiders,” the minister observed
Govindas appealed to the people especially the civil organisations and youth to participate and understand the Look East Policy and their role in the policy.
Urging people to be prepared to prevent the State’s cultural heritage from being corroded by the policy when it makes its appearance in the State, he said that a seminar on the role of Manipur in the Look East Policy will be organised under the leadership of State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.
Govindas advised the pineapple farmers to produce more in the next coming years and to start organic farming so that the products can be exported to other states. Pineapples from Manipur and Tripura are well known for its distinct tastes.
Accentuating the need to identify an area for installing a fruit processing unit to extract juice at Andro, he said this year’s budget will earmark a definite sum for installing the machines.
President of the function, Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar said that the fair is organised with the intention to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people.
“We have improved much from those days when pineapples were cultivated only by women. A machine that can generate power from pineapples will be installed in the Ngariyan Hill where the construction of the building is about to be finished. The building will accommodate an SBI bank in the top floor and the machine costing around 20-30 crores will be installed in the ground floor in the interest of the people,” he said.
Highlighting various improvements in Andro, he said the government has assured to sanction Rs 26 crores from the NEC fund under the 14th Finance Commission, adding that the deputy Chief Minister has assured to inaugurate the Andro Police Station very soon.
He said that recently the State government has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for Andro to install a piggy production unit.
For developing tourism at Keina and Santhei by developing them into natural parks, the State government has already agreed to sanction Rs 48 Crores, he said while adding that the Education minister M Okendro will inaugurate more schools in Andro and on July 3, Okendro will announce the establishment of a higher secondary education school in Andro.
In the opening ceremony, many traditional dance and songs were performed by various communities.