Ranjit rubbishes Opposition claims
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 25 2011:
Dismissing contention of the Opposition political parties that the Okram Ibobi Singh-led SPF Government has failed in all aspects and that rampant corruption is the norm at present, Works Minister K Ranjit asking the Opposition parties to be prepared for the upcoming general election asserted that outcome of the democratic exercise will prove credentials of the present Government.
Speaking at a public gathering in connection with the inauguration of an office of Thangmeiband Block Youth Congress Committee at Thangal Bazar here today, the Works Minister said the next Assembly election is an opportunity for the electorate to exercise their franchise rights intelligently.
There should neither be repetition of erroneous election of incompetent candidates like in the previous hustings nor should the electors succumb to the lure of money in the next one, he advised, apparently conceding that in Manipur atleast influence of money had been gradually disgracing the most important democratic component.
He also cited holding of autonomous district council elections in the hill districts as one of the achievements of the SPF Government while highlighting that completion or nearing completion of mini secretariat buildings/complexes in the hill district headquarters is an index of development activities in the hill areas.
Ranjit also mentioned 45 percent completion of Phumdi (floating bio-mass) clearance work in the Loktak Lake, setting up of national Institute of Technology and lifting of 'disturbed area' status from seven Assembly segments as some of the development works initiated by the Congress-led Government.
Conceding that strong pressure in demand as well as opposition on the issue of Sadar Hills district is the toughest task for the Government at present, he confided that a high level committee with the Chief Minister as the chairman is minutely studying every aspect of the issue.
Affirming that the Government is not against the creation of the Sadar Hills district, the Minister called upon all concerned to call off the agitation taking into account the ground reality.
He also appealed to the business community not to hike prices of essential commodities taking advantage of the situation.
Health Minister L Jayanta kumar who also attended the event said with the advent of the Congress party in both the Centre and the State, financial deficit that had been besieging Manipur has eased to a large extent thereby enabling the State Government to focus on development.
He also urged the people for continuous support to the Congress organisation.
In his address, MPCC secretary Jyotin Waikhom assured that the Congress party will provide maximum protection to all Congress workers, especially those from the minority communities.
Stating that youths have to take the most important role in every issue, Jyotin also appealed to the people to strive for return of the Congress Government in manipur.