IT News
Imphal, Aug 28
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has laid the foundation stones for 375 Surface Minor Irrigation Schemes, 550 Ground Water Irrigation schemes and 151 infrastructure projects to be taken up in different districts through video conference in a mega function held at City Convention Centre, Imphal today. These projects are to be taken up with the financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs at a total estimated cost of Rs. 647 crores. Deputy Commissioners of different districts unveiled the plaques of foundation stones on their respective sites on behalf of the Chief Minister.
Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar, CAF and PD Minister Karam Shyam, Water Resources Minister Letpao Haokip, Forest and Environment Minister Awangbow Newmai, MPs R.K. Ranjan and Sanajaoba Leishemba, MLAs and high ranking officials of the State Government also attended the function.
Speaking at the function as chief guest, N. Biren Singh said that the present State Government could take up various key developmental works within a short span of around three years and a half. Go to Village, Go to Hills, Meeyamgi Numit and Hill Leaders’ Day had enabled the Government to identify the people’s needs and wishes, he said. The Chief Minister said that he had instructed the concerned officials and work agencies to complete all the projects whose foundation stones were laid today by August next year.
Maintaining that there is need for enhancement of irrigation facilities to be self reliant in food production, N. Biren Singh said the State Government had revived 250 defunct lift irrigation schemes when the State faced drought last time. Though the Minor Irrigation Department was a little known department in the past, it has started playing a key role in enhancing irrigation facilities ever since the new Government had come, the Chief Minister said.
N. Biren Singh also said that out of the 151 infrastructure projects for which foundation stones were laid today, many residential schools, working women’s hostels and medical facilities are included. Stating that people spend huge amount of money in children’s education, the Chief Minister expressed hope that people need not to send their children to Imphal or outside the State for education once these residential schools start functioning.
Mentioning about other works, the Chief Minister also said that a Guest House for the Village Chiefs of different districts of Manipur would be constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs. 7 crore inside Royal Palace complex, Imphal. He also informed that Barak and Makru bridges along Imphal-Jiribam highway would be completed by December this year.
Projects which are to be taken up by the Minority Affairs Department, Government of Manipur with the financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Minorities under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram include six model residential schools (worth Rs. 25.26 each) in Chandel, Tengoupal, Pherzawl, Jiribam, Kangpokpi and Kamjong Districts, two PHCs (worth Rs. 142.42 lakh each) in Thoubal and Senapati Districts, 21 PHSCs (worth Rs. 66.53 lakhs each) in Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati, Thoubal and Tamenglong Districts, nine staff quarters for health professionals, patient waiting rooms, In-Patient Department and medical staff rooms, one gallery and sports complex (worth Rs. 2.79 crore) in Noney District, one natural football ground (worth Rs. 3.29 crore) in Tamenglong District, one public library and information centre (worth Rs. 0.45 crore) in Tamenglong District, 74 school buildings with toilet in minority concentrated districts of the State, two working women’s hostels (worth Rs. 11.30 crore each) in Imphal East, eight working women’s hostels (worth 11.30 crore each) in Chandel, Pherzawl, Jiribam, Senapati, Noney, Tamenglong, Kamjong and Ukhrul Districts, three hostels (worth Rs. 1.03 crore each) in Thoubal, Churachandpur and Chandel Districts, 15 hostels (worth Rs. 2.50 crore each) in Chandel, Imphal East, Kangpokpi, Thoubal, Ukhrul, Jiribam and Tengnoupal Districts.
375 Surface Minor Irrigation Schemes and 550 Ground Water Irrigation schemes will be implemented by the Department of Minor Irrigation, Government of Manipur under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana – Har Khet Ko Pani (PMKSY- HKKP) with the financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for River Lift Irrigation Scheme with Lined Canal and a Working Women’s Hostel at Kyamgei Mamang Leikai in Imphal East District.
