IMPHAL, December 1: Responding positively to the demands made by the State BJP in its memorandum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured to take up various steps including the protective measures for saving the Sangai (Brow Antlered Deer) at Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only natural habitat of the deer, from extinction.
He gave the assurances during a closed door meeting with six leaders of the State BJP in its office at Nityaipat Chuthek yesterday.
According to sources from the State BJP, more than 6000 enrolment forms were issued today from its office and many more will be issued in the next couple of days.
In a press meet at the BJP office today, State BJP general secretary (Administration) M Asnikumar said State party president Th Chaoba, former president and national executive member S Shantikumar, State BJP general secretary (organisation) S Premananda, State BJP general secretary (media affairs) L Basanta, party candidate in the Lok Sabha elections RK Ranjan and himself were present during the closed door meeting with the PM.
Listening attentively to the issues on environment and ecology, the Prime Minister`™s attention was particularly drawn by topics on long awaited wetland conservation programmes for Loktak, Khoidum, Pumlen, Ikop and Kharangpat Lakes etc, he said, adding that they urged the PM to place the lakes under a wetland development board of the Central government for their conservation and management in the future.
We also urged for the inclusion of the Keibul National Park as a World Heritage site and the restoration of the eco-system of the Loktak Lake, Asnikumar said.
We laid stress on the need of giving special attention to the Loktak Development Authority with an effective monitoring system to review all existing Loktak Lake Conservation Projects at the highest level, he said, adding crores of rupees sanctioned by the Centre in the last 10 years to improve the Loktak Lake have entered the coffers of a few individuals.
He opined that the adverse impact of this project on the environment and eco-system around the Loktak Lake needs to be assessed and compensated properly.
Talking about the issue of setting up the National Film Institute in Manipur, Asnikumar said they asked the PM to set it up here so as to tap the talents of the artists of the region in the field of Art and Culture and also in view of the scenic landscape of the state.
He said the State BJP leaders urged for special attention and implementation of a continuous monitoring system in Manipur on Human Resource Development as the Centrally sponsored schemes like SSA, RMSA etc appear to be faulty and added that they also revealed their apprehensions about leakages of funds, mismanagement and corruption.
He further said that most issues like the repeal of AFSPA, Road and Transportation development, the controversial land acquisition for construction of the National Sport University, the Act East policy, Air transportation, agriculture and allied sectors were discussed with PM Narendra Modi during the five minute meeting.
Meawhile, L Basanta Sharma has expressed gratitude to the people of the state for making the Prime Minister`™s visit a grand success with their support and participation. The visit was productive though it was only for a short duration and proved that the Look East policy has transformed into the Act East policy only after Narendra Modi assumed power, he emphasised.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi`™s love for the people of the Northeast is revealed by his visit yesterday, he said, adding the PM`™s proposal for recruitment of Manipur and NE youths in Delhi Police will bring an amicable solution to the issue of discrimination against NE people at mainland Indian in the near future