Imphal: The Manipur government has decided not to extend benefits from any state schemes to villages that are not officially recognized. This decision, made by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s cabinet on Thursday, comes in response to the establishment of numerous unrecognized villages in remote areas by certain village chiefs in recent years. Officials stated that the move aims to deter village chiefs from creating new settlements without state approval.
Addressing the media, Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh, spokesperson for the state government, shared details of various cabinet decisions made during the meeting. Among them was the decision to maintain the “Disturbed Area Status” across the state, excluding regions under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations. Additionally, a new police station and several outposts will be set up in parts of Kangpokpi district.
Dr. Ranjan, who is also the Minister of Information & Public Relations and Health, announced that the cabinet approved the upgrading of the Imphal-Kohima Road NH-39 (New NH-02) from a two-lane to a four-lane divided highway, covering the section between 297.7 km and 308.729 km. This project will be executed by the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), with the necessary land mutation already cleared.
Further cabinet decisions included the recruitment of two Settlement Supervisors for the Directorate of Settlement & Land Records, and the engagement of 256 contractual teaching and non-teaching staff for various educational institutions under the Samagra Shiksha initiative.
The cabinet also approved the creation of nine Assistant Professor posts and the conversion of nine Lecturer positions to supernumerary roles at S. Kula Women’s College in Nambol. Additionally, 436 Assistant Professor positions in the Higher Education Department will be filled through the Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC).
In Senapati district, land was allocated for the construction of an Indigenous Sports Complex and facilities for the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Juvenile Justice Board (JJB). The cabinet also approved land for an Excise Office in Bishnupur.
In healthcare, the cabinet sanctioned promotions for former Manipur Health Service (MHS) officers and staff at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), along with pay scale rectifications for Medical Social Workers and Clinical/Child Psychologists at the institute.
These decisions were part of a broader agenda, with the cabinet reviewing a total of 51 listed items and several additional unlisted matters.
