IT News
Imphal, Sept. 6
The State Government in collaboration with Fourth Dimension Global today hosted the first ever Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conclave of the North East region at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound in Imphal East District.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh graced the opening session of the conclave as the chief guest. Chief Secretary Dr. J. Suresh Babu, Additional Chief Secretaries Dr. Suhel Akhtar and M.H. Khan, Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industry) P. Vaiphei, CSR expert and Department of Public Enterprise, Government of India former Secretary Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee and Managing Director of IRG Systems South Asia Pvt. Ltd. Amit Jain also attended the function as dignitaries.
Addressing the conclave, N. Biren Singh invited the corporate houses of the country and abroad to come to Manipur and partner with the State in different ventures. Stating that the law and order condition of the State has improved tremendously in the past few years, the Chief Minister welcomed the corporate world to invest in Manipur. He assured that their capital would remain safe and productive.
He stated that there are certain areas where Government developmental schemes had not penetrated adequately. With limited financial resources, the State Government can reach its goals in these sectors only with supplementary funding through CSR route, the Chief Minister observed. He said that the Airports Authority of India has committed to provide CSR funds of Rs. 4.95 for procuring equipment for new Accident and Trauma Centre at JNIMS. Likewise, IOCL is funding for construction of community bathrooms, he added.
The Chief Minister further said that there is unlimited potential for private investment in different sectors in the State and all these sectors also present areas of investment for CSR funds. The Government of Manipur had identified social sector including education, skilling, healthcare, social development and human development as top priority areas for CSR funding, N. Biren informed. He further said that schools, colleges, Anganwadi centres, old age homes, shelter homes, skilling centres are only a few possibilities offering scope for CSR investment which would definitely have a greater positive impact on social development.
Stating that Manipur is the land gateway of India to South-East Asia, the Chief Minister said that the synergies created by the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project would transform the State. The North East region, endowed with rich natural and cultural diversity, is now seen as the new engines of growth for India, he said. Stating that connectivity between Manipur and other States and neighboring Myanmar had improved tremendously in the recent past, N. Biren also said that Manipur has huge potential for cultural tourism as well.
He also mentioned about State’s rich resources of medicinal plants, horticultural products, aromatic plants and spices and great potentials in medical tourism, organic farming and floriculture. He also said that Manipur is flourishing in handloom, reeds (kouna) and bamboo crafts and pottery.