CM recounts State’s journey from Rs 600 crores deficit to present development
IMPHAL, January 21: Manipur today celebrated its 44th Statehood Day with a State function being held at the Manipur Film Development Corporation hall with the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh as the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister narrated the journey of his government during the last three terms.
He recounted the acute financial deficit and the desperation due to which the State had to rely much on the Centre for overcoming the huge deficit of about Rs 600 crores.
He confessed about diverting the initial instalments of Centre Sponsored Projects/Programmes to pay pending salaries, “And thus, since the government was unable to provide the utilization certificates, the second instalments were deprived, which in turn hampered the implementation of even centrally sponsored schemes.”
The Chief Minister said the second term was comparatively more progressive with additional funds from both the Centre and DoNER.
He said the present State government focuses on communication as a prime priority thus the advancement and up scaling progress in the air, train and road transports which are visible significantly.
“We also give due emphasis on education, health and power sectors and hope to prove our achievement in these areas in the near future. With consistent planning, we are confident of developing these sectors,” he said.
We have faced the difficulty of being the easternmost corner State of the country and the heavy monsoon in the region which reduces our working season, he said.
The inconviniences of geography are further accentuated by the unpredictable bandhs and blockades in hampering our progress, the Chief Minister lamented.
He appealed to all the citizens of the State to abstain from violence and address any differences through democratic discussions in a very cordial atmosphere without resorting to bandhs and blockades.
“On this special occasion I would like to appeal to all the citizens to contribute towards creating a healthy peaceful, united and progressive Manipur” he urged.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Health minister, Phungzathang Tonsing attended the celebration as the president and guest of honour respectively.
The function was also attended by all the State ministers and MLAs and several State officials of all ranks and files.
The Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who is also the president of the celebration feels that there has to be some disciplinary action taken against those State employees who are absent from the Statehood Day Celebration.
He exalted the pace of development and boosting economy under the present government and appealed to all to nurture peace, love and unity in the State.
Artistes of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College, Imphal adorned the celebration with beautiful songs.
It may be mentioned that as part of the Statehood Day celebration, the Chief Minister had inaugurated the 1st Manipur Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament at the Mapal Kangjeibung on January 17.
The tournament organised by the All Manipur Polo Association and participated by a US Polo Association team other than four local teams concluded today at the Mapal Kangjeibung.