Imphal, January 28: Conceding that some section of the society particularly encroachers are feeling uneasy and having sleepless nights at the prospect of State Government set to launch eviction drive Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said despite qualms the Government is committed to carry out its tasks.

The Government aspires to provide a congestion-free Manipur and will not succumb to pressure exerted from certain section of the society that are more inclined to personal well-being and individual-centric attitude, bursts the Chief Minister while speaking as chief guest during the launch of Urban Credit Card and Imoinu Saving Scheme at GM Hall today.

Out of many problems besieging Manipur the State Government considers non-clearance of electricity bills and dirt piled in almost every public places as the most serious ills requiring immediate atten- tion, the CM said.

Declaring that the State Government is well aware of some people misinterpreting the genuine endeavours of the SPF Government to lay the platform for a cleaner and systematic Manipur of the future, Ibobi revealed that road expansion programme in between Moirangkhom till Singjamei will commence soon.

Reiterating that the road width after the eviction drive would be 100 metres the Chief Minister also conveyed that necessary amount to compensate patta holders had already been kept under the safe custody of Imphal West SP.

He also appealed to those pattadars whose land and building are likely to be affected during the eviction drive to tolerate and sacrifice a little for a brighter Manipur of tomorrow.

Expressing serious concern at wanton dumping of wastes at market places he desired that women vendors of Khwairamband Keithel take the lead in maintenance of cleanliness in the heart of the State while adding that Government is seriously mulling levying penalty and legal action against those persons found littering the city area instead of dumping the wastes at dustbins.

Announcing Government plan to construct a shopping mall at the temporary market sheds at the erstwhile Old District Hospital he also conveyed of hectic preparations to accommodate road-side vendors in a new market complex with financial assistance of Union Urban Development Ministry.

Regarding consumers failing to clear electricity dues the CM informed of snapping power connections of 20,000 consumers and cessation of power to 40 power transformers as part of the Government's intense drive to penalise defaulters.

He also detailed that compared to Rs 9 crore liable for payment to power houses every month for utilisation of electricity hardly Rs 1.5 crore could be collected from the consumers in the same period.

To discuss seriousness of the matter a meeting presided by the Chief Minister himself and attended Po-wer Minister, chief Secretary and other high ranking department officials was held today, he said while adding that State Government had to bear reduction of Rs 27 crores from the annual plan allocation for two consecutive years and repayment of power dues that had immensely crippled developmental plan envisaged by the State Government.

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