Imphal: As a continuation of the distribution of benefits under Special Scheme for Education of Children at Relief Camps for Labour Card Holders, a distribution programme was held today at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat today. The programme was organized by Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, as chief guest, handed over reconstructed labour cards and financial assistance of Rs. 5,000 under the scheme to the labour card holders staying in different relief camps.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stated that many people had been facing hardship due to the present conflict in the state, adding that the present conflict is like a wake-up call for the people of Manipur.
The Chief Minister informed that many displaced people whose houses had not been burnt down, but fled their homes out of fear in the early days of the conflict, have now returned to their original places of settlement. He continued that experts from Departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, Industries and others had been made to interact and assist the displaced people, so that the latter could take up suitable activities for earning their livelihood.
The Chief Minister informed that the Government would start providing blankets to relief camps very soon, as winter season is arriving. Stating that around 2,500 personnel of security forces had been provided for safeguarding farmers while taking up agricultural activities, he informed that compensation would be provided to those farmers, whose agricultural land could not be cultivated due to the present conflict. The Home Ministry, Government of India has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 38.6 crore for the same, he added. He continued that concerned Deputy Commissioners would do the survey on whose agricultural farms had not been cultivated and what would be their earning from the agricultural land if cultivated.
N. Biren further informed that 98 percent of students staying at relief camps set up at valley areas had been admitted to nearest schools. However, it is less for students staying at relief camps set up at Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts.
Mentioning that around 3,000 families had been relocated from relief camps to newly constructed prefabricated houses, he informed that the Central Government would provide financial assistance for construction of new houses, for those whose houses had been burnt down. The financial assistance would be given in two to three installments through concerned Deputy Commissioners, the Chief Minister said, adding that the Government had started taking up the process for the same.
The Chief Minister further assured that the Government had been putting all possible efforts to aid the affected people.
Ministers, MLAs, Chairman, Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, Chief Secretary, Government officials and labour card holders staying at different relief camps also attended the programme among others.
