Strikes hampers development, tarnishes state’s image: Biren

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 4, 2019: Bandhs, blockades and strikes hamper development in Manipur and also tarnish the image of the state, said chief minister N. Biren Singh at the inauguration various infrastructure projects in Kakching district on Wednesday.

The number of tourists including foreign tourists is increasing in the last two years. Around 8000-10000 foreign tourists are visiting the state every year. The disturbing issues have tarnished the image of the state to the outside world, Biren said.

The infrastructure projects inaugurated were SDC office and sub-registrar office of Kakching, Type 3 staff quarters at Pallel PHC, Integrated Tourist Destination at Kakching Garden. The formal inaugural function was held at Kakching Garden, Kakching district.

Biren said in the last two years, the government tries its best to deliver good governance at the grassroots by implementing various welfare programmes and initiatives. He said the government is for the people and will work as per the wishes and aspirations of the people.

Speaking about the drought declaration by the state government, the chief minister said the government is preparing data which will be sent to the Centre for claiming compensation for the farmers affected by drought.  Alternative crops such as maize, wheat etc. would be provided to the farmers as substitute crops of rice. The agriculture department has sent a proposal amounting to Rs 13 crores to the Planning department. Around Rs 6 crores would be released in the coming 2-3 days, he added. He mentioned that the government had tried its best to cope the drought like situation by distributing around 257 irrigation pump sets to the farmers.

He said under the Jal Jeevan Mission of the Jal Shakti ministry to provide potable water to the people by 2024, the New Development Bank under BRICS has approved and sanctioned an amount of around Rs 3000 crores for executing the said mission. He praised the official of the Kakching Municipal Corporation and people of the district for bagging the Cleanest City in North East Zone award from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, under the aegis of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) last year.

Biren also announced that treasury office of Kakching district is almost completed and would be inaugurated soon.