IMPHAL, April 13: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi on Monday inaugurated a 33/11 kv Power Sub-Station, police station and an integrated infrastructure complex of BDO Machi Block simultaneously at Machi sub-division in Chandel district.
The inauguration function was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam; IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip; MLA Tengnoupal Constituency D Korungthang; MLA Kakching Constituency Y Surchandra; MLA Kumbi Constituency S Bira; MLA Hiyanglam Constituency E Dwijamani; MLA Wabagai Constituency Md Fazur Rahim; DGP Shahid Ahmed; IG Zone III S Manglemjao; DC Chandel Robert Singh Khestrimayum and officials of MSPDC Limited and government departments.
The main inauguration function was organized by District Administration, Chandel at the playground of Machi High School.
Speaking as chief guest, CM Ibobi said that there was a palpable gap in equal allotment of basis amenities in the valley and hills when the present government came to power while adding that development in the hills is one of the top priorities of the government.
He maintained that DC Office, Mini Secretariat building and offices of several other government departments in every district including the hills have been built and inaugurated accordingly to ensure collective growth and development.
The government had already launched `Inclusive Infrastructure Development in Hill Areas`™ programme in hill areas under sub-divisional Headquarters to reach out to the people residing in the areas which are saturated from the District Headquarters, Ibobi said.
The CM stated that according to reports of the government, there are 27 Blocks in far flung hill areas where there is no bank facility for which the government is trying to avail the facility including all the basic amenities.
Asserting that there is a plan to invest Rs 12 crore in each of the 27 Blocks under Special Plan Assistance to avail integrated infrastructure in the areas, he informed that that the government has already earmarked a sum of Rs 300 crores for implementing the plan.
The earmarked fund will not be allowed to divert. There will be no shortage of fund for developing far flung areas in the hills, Ibobi vowed.
He assured that the government will provide full-proof security, uninterrupted power supply and required infrastructure in all the banks to be set up in the 27 Blocks.
Referring to a memorandum submitted urging to upgrade Machi Primary Health Centre to the level of CHC; he said that upgradation of the health centre to CHC level could take few years as there is shortage of doctors being faced by the state at present.
Dy CM who presided over the function asserted that there has been notable development in the hills which is due to the sincere efforts put in by the Ibobi-led government.
He said that equal growth in the valley and hills is the top priority of the government and added that people in both the hills and valley have been availed with basis amenities though there is much need to be done in health and education sector.
Gaikhangam further said that various notable developmental programmes taken up in the hills during the last 13 years have proven commitment of the government towards growth and development in the hills.
Appealing the people to regard the infrastructures set up by the government as their own assets, the Dy CM called upon the government employees not to show reluctance when it comes to posting in the hills.