Imphal: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Monday visited Chandel District and inaugurated 10 development projects worth around Rs. 126.54 crore. He also laid the foundation stones for 15 other projects which will cost an amount of around Rs. 86.45 crore.
A cabinet meeting was also held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office as a part of the Government’s initiative to take governance at hill districts under the Go to Hills Mission.
During his visit, the Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Advocate General, Chief Secretary and other senior Government officials. The Chief Minister was accorded a warm welcome by the people along the road stretch from Pallel to Chandel HQ.
The projects which were inaugurated by the Chief Minister on Monday are the Model Residential School at Mantri Pantha, the construction of Girl’s Hostel for Minority Students at Chakpikarong, the Upgradation of Phiran Leihao PS to UPS, construction of 150 ft bailey bridge over Chakpi river at Mantri Pantha, retrofitting of water supply schemes at Totun, Songjang, Liwa Sarei and Lambung, construction of District Sports Complex and Improvement/Strengthening to 2-lane of Pallel-Chandel section of NH-102C.
The projects for which the foundation stones were laid are for construction of Type-III and Type-II Qtrs at Chandel Police Station, Chakpikarong Police Station and Khengjoy Police Station, construction of a Football Ground with natural grass at Chakpikarong, Government Children Homes at Chandel, construction of Bailey Bridge over Maha river at Khuringmul, construction of Bailey Bridge at Lamphou Pasna over Chakpi river, construction of PHSC Yangoullen, construction of 2 BTQ at PHC Sajik Tampak, construction of 10 Bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital, Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and setting up of Memorial Park as a tribute to (L) HT Thungam, Ex-Minister (First State Cabinet Minister from Chandel District)/Ex-MLA of 41-Chandel AC.
Addressing the formal function at the Model Residential School, Mantri Pantha, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Chandel District, for the warm welcome accorded to him and his cabinet colleagues.
He continued that cordial relations amongst people come when one respects the other with thinking of oneness and when there is inclusive development across the State. He maintained that his government had always given priority to equal development and self-respect.
He recalled that he had highlighted the necessity of a topographical need-based budget to the central leaders, as hill areas require more funds for development activities due to their topography, in contrast to their lesser population. As such, just after becoming the Chief Minister in 2017, Go to Hills Mission was introduced to know the ground reality of hill areas, he added.
The Chief Minister further informed that welfare schemes like Go to Village, School Fagathansi Mission, CMHT and others had been taken up after assessing the ground reality and knowing the needs of the people. Welfare schemes introduced by the Central Government have been successfully implemented and benefited lakhs of families as the Government officials are sincerely rendering their service, he added.
Stressing that the Model Residential School complex was constructed under MOBC at a cost of around Rs. 25 crore, the Chief Minister and similar complexes are being constructed at 13 locations including in valley areas, he expressed his government’s commitment to change the landscape of hill districts by taking up developmental activities.
Mentioning that the Pallel to Chandel Road had been developed utilizing an amount of Rs. 30 crores, N. Biren stated that the road has improved a lot.
The Chief Minister further informed that the United College, Chandel would be covered under the newly launched College Fagathansi Mission. 8 new classrooms would be constructed with a funding of Rs. 2.5 crores. He continued that after the successful implementation of the School Fagathansi Mission, the rate of admission to Government schools had gone up. The rate of pass percentage for Government schools’ students has considerably increased, he added.
Expressing his desire to make Chandel a tourist spot by encouraging locals to build homestays, he further appealed to the public to be united in taking up development works.
He further stated that tourists from outside the State have the willingness to explore the beauty of the State, mentioning the State had earlier hosted many national and international events like the G-20 Business 20 summit, Femina Miss India Grande Finale, tri-nation football tournament, etc. He stated the Government has no lack of funds for development works and sought people’s cooperation. He further mentioned the possibility of income generation through tourism.
Further stating that the present government believes in being people friendly, the Chief Minister said that the Go To Village Mission will be taken up again.
N. Biren Singh also said that a Fire Service Sub-station has been approved for Chakpikarong.
Briefing the media regarding the cabinet meeting which was held today, N. Biren Singh informed the State Cabinet had decided to conduct job recruitment for filling up 50 per cent of the vacant post of various Departments. For the Home Department, recruitment will be done for 100 per cent of the vacant posts, he added.
Meanwhile, during the formal function, the Deputy Commissioner, Mayanglambam Rajkumar presented PowerPoint slides reviewing developmental works in Chandel district.
Distribution of beneficiaries’ items, traditional dances and songs also marked the formal function.
