Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 27:
With the election Commission of India likely to issue election notification for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls within a short period that would ultimately prohibit publication of achievement and programmes for the coming years in respect of State Governments the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) today released a booklet actually reserved for release on March seven to mark two years in power.
The booklet is titled 'Manipur - Towards Peace and Prosperity'.
Ironically the booklets could not be made available to all the mediapersons numbering around 20.During the booklet releasing programme cum press conference Chief Minister O Ibobi regretted that due to certain constraints SPF Government could not execute welfare programmes as expected by the general masses since the coalition front assumed office in March 7, 2002.He, however, exuded confidence that with the sincere and dedication of the SPF Ministers the State would certainly march towards progress and all round development.
The Chief Minister's address initially resembled to that of the first year's anniversary wherein financial constraints was the main criteria for slow progress towards development.
He also acknowledged that fund paucity is the main cause for failure to implement various welfare schemes, barring those undertaken with Centre's financial assistance while hastening to add that in the coming years a positive change could be witnessed.
Ibobi confidently stated that within the year 2006 all the villages both in the hill and valley areas would be electrified and assured similar benefit to every household by 2007.Replying to question, he said Manipur Government is currently in debt of about Rs 68 crores for purchasing power while the uncleared due of the public consumers exceeds the State amount by Rs 10 crores and urged for change in attitude of the public towards clearing the dues.
He also informed of strict instructions issued to Power Minister and Department officials to launch power tax collection drive to bridge the deficit and conveyed notices issued by electricity houses to cease power supply to Manipur if 1/3 of the pending dues are not cleared within March.
Compared to only 30 megawatt electricity generated through the State power houses on daily basis the actual requirement is 80 megawatt, he said.
On erratic power supply presently faced in the State, Ibobi asserted that due to depleting water level resulting in poor generation efforts are on to procure 20 megawatt additional power from other States to address public grievances to some extend urging the consumers to cooperate by paying their taxes without which chances of procuring the additional power is very remote.
On welfare projects pursued by the State Government he said year 2006 is targeted for dedication of the Khuga and Thoubal multi-purpose projects to the public.
Similarly 60-70 percent black topping of roads in all the districts are being envisaged for completion within the same year, he maintained while stating that currently construction and repairing of roads at several places are underway under the PMGSY scheme.
Regarding the health sector, the Chief Minister assured constructions of 100 hospitals in each of the hill district headquarters at the earliest in addition to opening of health centres in the valley areas.
He also described the Opposition's decision to abstain from the ongoing assembly session as undemocratic.