Imphal, Oct 6: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that collective effort is needed to overcome the alienation of the people of North-East in the mainland India and it is our responsibility to create the sense of unity among citizens of the country. This was stated by him at the Regional Conference of State Labour Ministers and Principal Secretaries/Secretaries/Commissioners of State labour Departments of North East States held today at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal. The conference was organised by Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
Speaking as Chief Guest of the function, Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his idea of “Sab ka Saath Sab ka Vikas”, the Central Government has given its priority for the welfare of the people and inclusive development in the country. N. Biren Singh highlighted the harassment and discrimination faced by the people of North-East in Mainland India. Stating that North-East India is filled with talent and potential, he stressed that Manipur has the highest per capita of population in the field like sports and sends the highest numbers of officers in the Indian Army by a State etc.
Chief Minister stated that such conference/review meeting is very important and a way forward in terms of strengthening the infrastructure to enhance the skilling the manpower and human resource of the country. State Level Skill Development Mission has been introduced to formulate prospective plans and detailed action plans for Skill Development in Manipur, he added. Shri N. Biren Singh said that apart from the Skill Development Mission, a State Mission on employment generation, housing and drinking water for every household by 2022 has also been launched by the Government.
N. Biren Singh said that vocational training courses have been introduced in 40 colleges to impart skill development to the youths of the State in the field of IT, Tourism and Hospitality, Retail Management, Computer Hardware Technology etc. The Government has set a target to generate 7.50 lakh employments by the year 2022 through various departments of the State Government, he added.
Addressing the delegates, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar said that the Government of India is focussing towards the development of North-Eastern part of India so as to bring an inclusive growth and development in the country. Stating about constituting State Social Welfare Board in every State of the country, Santosh said that the Chairperson of a State Board is to be appointed by the respective States with the approval of the Central Board.
On the occasion, Minister of Labour and Employment, Manipur Shri Th. Radheshyam Singh said that labourers are the downtrodden and vulnerable section of the society. He said that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Shri N. Biren, a Labour Mela was held with an aim to create awareness on the various central schemes for the welfare of labour in the State recently. The new government has already introduced many social security schemes for the organised and unorganised labourers of the State and distribution of smart cards to the labourers etc., he added.
Showing concern about those children who are working in the construction of roads with BRTF/BRO in the State, Shri Th. Radheshyam said that such matter would be investigated and checked properly so as to stop child labour. He further assured that the government would keep an eye on the employment of children in brick firms, as domestic help etc.
During the conference/review meeting, elaborate presentations on Child labour, plantation workers, social security schemes, matters relating welfare of unorganised workers were made by various subject experts.
Minister for Labour and Employment, Assam Pallab Lochan Das, Parliamentary Secretary, labour and Employment, Nagaland Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India M. Sathiyavathy, Financial Advisor and Additional Secretary, Labour and Employment, Government of India Arun Goel and officials from various North-East States participated in the conference.
