IMPHAL, November 14: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today said people who criticise the government never speak of what we have accomplished and instead they criticise the work progress of developmental works in the State.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the yearlong celebration of the 125th Birth Anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Chief Minister said we often hear people criticising the slow progress of the works undertaken by the government, but never mention anything about the projects which have been completed.
`I think if the government had not taken up any work, they will have nothing to say.`
The ceremony was held today at Congress Bhawan, BT Road, Imphal.
Reacting strongly against those criticising the government for all the disturbances created by the developmental works, the Chief Minister observed `If we are taking up a work, it is quite obvious that there will be some disturbances in the surrounding area due to the work.`
`If my neighbour is construction his house, that it is obvious that my house will be disturbed by some dust and sounds.`
The government, he said has no intention to cause any inconveniences to the public and want the projects to be completed in time.
However, the bandhs, blockades and sometimes nature hamper the work progress, he elaborated further.
Combining all the factors like bandhs, blockades, rain and others, we hardly get two working seasons in a year he said, further observing that in such a scenario people do complain of the project taking two years to complete.
Work at Sanjenthong has also been hampered much by all these factors he continued.
The materials used in construction of the bridge were not easy to get, and the hangers are made only in Germany, France and a few other countries, the Chief Minister observed.
Although the hangers were supposed to be brought by sea-route which is considerably cheaper, considering the significance of the bridge, inconveniences faced by the people and in an effort speed up the construction work, the hangers were flown in by Cargo plane costing much higher, he added.
We are aware of all the inconveniences faced by the people and the government like to complete the project on schedule much more than the public, he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also praised Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for shaping India`™s form of democracy which he said is admired much around the world.
The people of India cannot forget Nehru`™s contribution and that is why he is known as the architect of modern India, he said.
There are still many countries around the world which claim to be democracies however, they are still unable to follow India`™s form of democracy, he said.
He further appealed to Congress members to abide by the principle of the real democracy that Gandhi and Nehru wanted and their slogan that without developing the villages the city cannot shine and also the sacrifices made by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi for the integrity of India.
The function was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who is also the president of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee as functional president.
Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MPs, MLAs, officer bearers of MPCC, INC councillors of Local Self Govt, PCC members, chief of frontals, cells, Depts, DCCs/BCCs presidents and party leaders also attended the function. A rally under the theme `Run for Peace` was taken out as a part of celebration at Imphal. The rally which started from Congress Bhawan passed through Khuyathong traffic island, Nagamapal Road, Wahengbam Leikai, Keisampat Junction, Paona International Market, and after passing under the BT Flyover concluded at the starting point.