Imphal: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Thongam Biswajit Singh said that the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav should be made into a Jan Andolan or mass movement. The Mahotsav is a celebration of the glorious history of the country, he said, Saturday.
The Minister was speaking at an “India@75 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (Seminar-cum-Tree plantation)” at Phumlou Maning Leikai, Community Hall. The tree plantation drive was conducted along the stretch from Phumlou to Singda Road which has been constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY), Package Number MN 0532.
Further in his speech, the Minister said that the present government has launched various developmental schemes like PMAY, SAUBHAGYA, MNREGA, etc for the people.
The tree plantation drive will help in checking the environmental imbalance, he said, adding that the small changes brought through such activities will help in bringing a change to the nation.
Minister Biswajit said that PMGSY was introduced by former Prime Minister Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee with the vision to develop and improve the social, economic and educational sectors in rural areas by enhancing road connectivity between cities and villages and bring equal and balanced development.
He said that the main objective of PMGSY is to connect all unconnected habitations in the rural areas through the construction of all-weather roads with necessary culverts and cross-drainage structures, in a manner that will provide the most economic and efficient connectivity thus promoting access to economic and social infrastructure.
The Minister said that during Phase I, connectivity was provided, and Phase II was focused in enhancing socio-economic activities of the far-flung villages. Phase III is mostly about the up-gradation of roads connecting government offices, health care centres, schools, banks etc.
Biswajit further asserted that the present government has managed to bridge the gap between the hills and the valley. Today, we are able to enjoy a bandh free, blockade free State, which is an achievement in itself, he added.
The Minister called upon all eligible candidates to get the Covid-19 vaccines at the earliest and fight the pandemic.
MLA Sekmai A/C, Heikham Dingo said that RED is a major department in the State for the development of rural roads. However, the government department alone cannot successfully implement schemes and the department requires support and cooperation of the local populace, he said.
He further requested the Minister to enhance road connectivity in his constituency.
During the seminar, officials of the RED sensitized the public regarding the various schemes taken up by the department.
The seminar was attended by Adhyaksha Imphal West, Zilla Parishad Members, Chief Engineer RED/MSSRDA, Pantising Thaimei, concerned officials among others.
