IMPHAL | Jan 5
Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri N. Biren Singh said that a Heritage Complex of the Poumai community would be developed by the state government at Saranamei village, the oldest Poumai village to preserve and protect the historical elements and antique items associated with the community.
The CM was speaking as chief guest at the Poumai Thounii 2018 cum reception of chief minister held at Thingba Khunou (Shomai) village in Senapati district today. The function was jointly organised by Poumai Naga Union (PNU) and Thingba Khunou (Shomai) village, Senapati.
Biren said that the government had begun providing assistance to differently abled persons and skilled persons through different schemes. He urged the skilled persons to submit application seeking assistance from the government.
The CM further informed that government would launch two different welfare schemes on the Statehood Day of Manipur that falls on January 21. He said that ‘Hakshelgi Tengbang’ (Manipur Health Protection Scheme) will be launched on the day and it would become functional from the next day. He continued that the scheme would provide cashless benefit up to Rs. 2 lakhs per year per BPL/AAY/poor family on floater basis and the benefit would be applicable when a person is hospitalised. Under the scheme, a patient or the party need not carry cash for treatment at government hospitals and hospital bills will be taken care by the government, said N. Biren.
Moreover, 10 well equipped ambulances would be put in service at hill district headquarters on the same day in order to reduce inconveniences faced by people of the hills in bringing patients to health centres and hospitals, he added.
The CM also added that Rs. 11 crore had been earmarked to construct a guest house for the chiefs of different villages of hill districts inside the complex of Royal Palace in Imphal. Opening of different guest houses for all the communities in Imphal would be materialised once the government finalises the process of acquiring 1000 acres as a Land Bank of the state government at Nongmaiching area, he added.
Biren also assured the Poumai people to discuss the demand for declaring Poumai Thounii as a holiday of the state. He also assured to put forward the request to the authority concerned for broadcasting programmes in Poumai dialect between 6:20 pm to 6:50 pm in All India Radio, Imphal.
Expressing his strong desire to take up some developmental activities for the Poumai people as a New Year’s gift to the community, he requested the leaders of the community to prepare a representation taking all the inadequacies of all the Poumai people into account and submit it to the government. He added that the chief minister’s office would send response for all the representations or memoranda submitted to him through DC and community leaders.
While delivering presidential address, minister for PWD, IPR, RD and PR, Th. Biswajit Singh said that to bring an inclusive development in the state, road connectivity and water supply need to be improved, along with uninterrupted power supply. The government is trying its best to improve road connectivity in hill areas of the state, he added.
Mentioning about the various welfare schemes such as PMAY, Saubhagya and others, the minister said that the government has already directed the DCs to organise awareness campaign to inform about the existing welfare schemes so that people can avail the benefits of the schemes meant for the people. Under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the government is committed to deliver good, responsive and transparent governance to the people, he added.
The function was attended by minister for Tribal Affairs and Hills, N. Kayasii, minister for PHED, Losii Dikho, chairman of ADC Senapati, ML. Markson, president of Poumai Naga Union (PNU), L. Soloni Pao, principal secretary to CM, Vineet Joshi, media advisor to CM, Arun Irengbam, members of ADC Senapati and others.
The dignitaries were presented traditional shawls and gifts during the function, followed by various cultural songs and dances were showcased.
It may be mentioned that Poumai Thounii is the biggest traditional festival of Poumai community.
IFP News
