IMPHAL, March 19: Despite high hopes, the Congress Legislators Party (CLP) meeting convened today ended without much headway in the ongoing stalemate within the party, a result of the revolt by a dissident group.
According to reliable sources the CLP meeting commenced today around 4.30 pm and concluded at 6.30 pm.
The implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) dominated the meeting despite speculations that today’s meeting could possibly bring an end to the ongoing stalemate within the party, with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, having met AICC chief and other leaders of the party recently in the national capital.
The sources disclosed that starting off the meeting, the Chief Minister reportedly informed the gathering that the recent meeting with the AICC leaders was inconclusive.
Subsequently, he reportedly notified the meeting that he along with Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, will be leaving Imphal for New Delhi tomorrow to meet AICC leaders and bring a conclusion to the stalemate.
The State leaders will meet Sonia Gandhi on March 21.
It is learnt that none among the dissident groups raised further query after the Chief Minister’s announcement about the development and the meeting moved on to NFSA.
Further coming to the NFSA which will come into effect on April 1, the Chief Minister reportedly emphasized on the cooperation of the legislators in implementation the scheme successfully in the state; reminding that the scheme was adopted during the Congress led UPA government at the Centre.
Under the NFSA, which came into force on July 5, 2013, each eligible person will get five kg of food grain a month – rice at Rs.3 per kg, wheat at Rs.2 per kg and coarse cereals at Re.1 per kg.
Manipur is targeting to cover 87% of its population, that is, 24,84,438 individuals of Manipur’s total population of 28,55,794 will avail provisions under the National Food Security Act in the state as
informed by state consumer affairs, food and public distribution (CAF&PD) minister on the house of Manipur in the recently concluded budget session.