Centre allocated Rs. 3500 crore under 14th Finance Commission for Manipur: Director

Imphal, April 18, 2018 (DIPR): The Central Government has allocated Rs 35,000 crore for the State under the 14^th Finance Commission. Speaking during the evening session of the series of press conference organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Reforms today, Thangjam Munindro, Director, Planning Department, Government of Manipur, said that Planning Department prepares developmental plans, monitors and oversees the implementation of schemes taken up by different government Departments.

He said that the main function of Planning Department includes Preparation of Development Plan/Vision Document; Monitoring of development Schemes, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, NEC and NLCPR funded projects; Reviewing of development Schemes, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Externally Aided Projects, NEC and NLCPR funded projects; Monitoring of programmes under Twenty Point Programme; Overseeing the implementation of Border Area Development Programme (BADP); Review of progress of major infrastructure projects; Initiating and overseeing Special Initiatives undertaken from time to time and Nodal Department for NGOs/VOs.

Highlighting some of the major activities taken up by the Department during 2017-18 he said that in the year 2018-19, the State Government will give priority on enhancing Agricultural and Industrial growth focussing on performance of Centrally Sponsored Schemes. For this purpose, the Government will create more sustainable service sector; investing in human resource through education, skills and health; creating jobs through leveraging strengths of Trade, Tourism, Food Processing and Information Technology, etc. It also aims at reducing the gaps among backward groups/regions; and enabling better results through improved implementation.

Planning Department is presently focussing on proper utilization of the funds allocated for development through minimum utilization with maximum output. Under this Digital Application for Review by Public and Nation (DARPAN), a web application, has been launched to keep track of progress of works undertaken by Agriculture Department by using GPS location verification. This will help in checking malpractices of various departments and timely completion of works. This is an important programme of the department to ensure transparency and accountability, in what the government departments are doing, to the public.

Constructions of Women Markets at Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Senapati, Kangpokpi and Jiribam have been taken up at a cost of Rs.70 crore (Rs.35 crore in 2017-18 and Rs.35 crore in 2018-19). Hostel in hill districts constructed at a cost of Rs.50 crore (Rs.25 crore in 2017-18 and Rs.25 crore in 2018-19) will provide accommodation to doctors and teachers posted in the remote and also ensure attendance with Manipur Police Housing Corporation Ltd. as the implementing Agency. Foundation stone for 19 Residential Complexes for Teachers, Doctors and Nurses was recently laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 16, 2018 at Luwangsangbam.

State Planning Department is also the Nodal Department for the purpose of compilation of information on NGOs working in the State from the various Departments. The line Departments are to supervise, monitor, create or update database for the NGOs on quarterly basis, besides ensuring accountability and transparency in the working of NGOs.

Under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), a number of micro watershed projects for preservation and conservation of soil, water and vegetation are taken up in all districts of Manipur under the supervision of State Level Nodal Agency. IWMP programme is now being implemented as a sub-component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (Watershed Component). This will bring about convergence in programs for potential creation & conservation of water resources, economical use of available water for providing irrigation water to agricultural fields and give benefit to the farmers.

Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) is a platform in which Prime Minister of India reviews the selected Central Sector and State sector projects implemented in the Country through Video Conference. In this forum different agenda on important developmental issues of the country are reviewed by the Prime Minister and discuss on the steps to be taken up further. As a nodal department, the Planning department has discussed 40 agenda in this forum, he added.

The press conference was moderated by Heisnam Balkrisna, Director, Information and Public Relations.