Biren cautions to punish rich people enjoying poor people’s scheme benefit
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Pothashang News Service: Imphal, December 1, 2018: Manipur chief minister Nongthomba Biren Singh today cautioned to take action against those well-to-do people or government employees who enjoy government scheme benefits that are meant for weaker sections of the society.
The chief minister made the warning conveying serious concern that many well-to-do individuals and families are found enjoying the benefits for poor people.
He said a large number of deserved people are not getting benefits under different government schemes due to irregularities and dishonesty of the officials concerned.
Biren cautioned, “Those undeserved beneficiaries should surrender beneficiary cards before the government takes action against them.”
It is a matter of concern that 36per cent of the population of the state is still under Below Poverty Line (BPL) though the per-head fund provided by the Centre to the state is three times higher as compared with the bigger states. If any well-to-do or government employee is wrongfully enjoying benefit under a government scheme, it can be well assumed that he or she has snatched away the right or benefit from a deserved poor person, he added.
The chief was addressing on the World AIDS Day observation at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles ground, organised by Manipur State AIDS Control under the theme ‘Know your HIV status’.
Dovernor Dr. Najma Heptulla said it is imperative to make modifications and improvements in the state AIDS policy so as to suit the changing circumstances and trend.
The governor appealed to the youths of the state to become more aware about HIV/AIDS issues and also to participate actively in the programmes and policies to fight against the disease.
She said it is the responsibility of the society at large, particularly women, to have greater involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS to safeguard the future of Manipur. HIV testing is a must for expanding treatment and ensuring that all people living with HIV can live a healthy and productive life, she opined.
Biren Singh said though the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is declining in the state, there is still need for a collective hard work of public, NGOs and the government to achieve the target of having no new HIV infection in Manipur by 2024. As per the records provided by the state health department, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the state is 1.43 % against the all-India rate of .022%, he added.
He said people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVs) should never be stigmatised and discriminated.
Members of NGOs, PLHIVs, school children, NCC Cadets, MACS employees and general public took out a rally from Hao Ground to 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles ground as part of the observance.
Health minister L. Jayantakumar said effective awareness is the only answer stigmatisation and discrimination of PLHIVs. He expressed the need for a collective effort to eradicate the disease from the soil of the state.
Consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister Karam Shyam, forest and environment minister Th. Shyamkumar, tribal affairs and hills minister N. Kayisii, drputy Speaker K. Robindro, MLAs, and high ranking officials also attended the function.
The AIDS day was also observed in different parts of the state.
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