Imphal, February 22: Governor Dr SS Sidhu has observed that although there has been a qualitative improvement in the security environment in the State, the overall security scenario is still a matter of concern as the people in general continue to remain under constant threat from various militant groups operating in the State.

In his inaugural address to the 13th session of the 8th Manipur Legislative Assembly today, the head of the State reiterated that the State Government's commitment to solve the problems of conflict through peaceful means and once again appealed to the youth who have taken up arms against the Government to come forward, lay down arms and adopt democratic and peaceful means for resolving the problems.

The Governor observed that Manipur has been facing a difficult law and order situation.

However, the State police have been able to respond to these challenges and maintain public order.

The State police, with the help of Army, Assam Rifles and other Central Paramilitary forces, have been able to restrain the activities of the militants to a great extent, he said.

The thrust areas in the counter insurgency operations remained neutralisation of militant groups and security of vital installations.

Even in the hills, the area domination by security forces has expanded and the build up of bases and camps of militants in Churachandpur, Chandel and Tamenglong districts have been dismantled to a considerable extent, he claimed.

Enumerating on the success of counter insurgency operations, the Governor said during 2005, as many as 1019 militants belonging to various militant outfits were arrested while another 84 were killed, 179 assorted weapons were recovered from the militants along with 5508 assorted ammunition, 49 hand grenades, one rocket launcher, 76 bombs, one IED, 249 detonators, 2,475 kgs of explosive materials and 32 W/T sets.

During the same period, 151 persons including militants belonging to various groups were detained under NSA and 25 cadres belonging to various outfits surrendered to the Government authority.

Commenting on the need to strengthen and modernise the State police force, the Governor said police modernisation has picked up substantially with the financial support from the Central Government ( Rs 21 crores this year).

These initiatives have upgraded weaponry and improved mobility, equipment and communications of the State police force, he said.

On the economic front, the Governor claimed that the finances of the State have considerably improved in the last one year with the Centre increasing the financial largesse given to the State Government on the recommendations of the 12th Finance Commissioner though the grants are not entirely commensurate with the requirements.

The plan size of the State for the fiscal year 2006-07 has been finalised at Rs 1160 crores as against the approved outlay of Rs 985.37 for the annual plan 2005-06. The approved outlay for 2006-07 includes Rs 419.75 crores for important projects to be funded under Special Plan Assistance (SPA) including Rs 163.74 crores for reconstruction Plan.

Economic services account for Rs 613.99 crores (52.93 pc), Social services Rs 432.66 crores (37.30 pc), General services Rs 112.46 crores (9.69 pc) and others Rs 0.90 crores (0.08 pc), added the Governor.

Special emphasis would be given on Upgradation of General Administration, Health, Education, Power, Road communication, infrastructure in the hill areas for which special provisions have been made under Special Plan Assistance in the State plan, the Governor assured, he noted.

The Plan expenditure during the current year, 2005-06 upto December 31, 2005 is Rs 704.25 crores i.e.71.10 pc and achievements under Reconstruction Plan include development of infrastructure for Manipur University, Capital Project, Special Employment Generation Programme, development of District/ADC Headquarters, upgradation of roads to district headquarters, he added.

Programmes for improvement of road connecting the State Capital with the district headquarters, the district headquarters with the sub-divisional head-quarters and the internal roads in and around district headquarters have also been taken up.

Moreover, during the year, NEC has released a sum of Rs 100 lakhs for maintenance of completed NEC roads and the works has been started.

Improvement and upgradation of Guite Road from Singhat to Sinzwal to Tuivai river (0-128.14 km ) is being taken up while improvement of Tamei-Tenning Road is in the final stage.

Rehabilitation work of the damaged bridge over Barak river on Tamei-Tenning Road has also been sanctioning.

Improvement of the NH-150 from Churachandpur to Yaingangpokpi is in good progress and BRTF has also started the improvement of NH-150 from Churachandpur to Tipaimukh section.

Along with four laning of NH-39 for the portion from 311 km to 317 km which is in full swing, step for widening the road in the most congested part of the Imphal city from Singjamei to Krishnapremi Oil Station has also been taken up.

Touching on power sector, the Governor pointed out that the electricity requirement of the State during peak hour at night and day are respectively 140 MW and 80 MW.

Keeping in view of the shortage of power in the State, the Government has given priority to construction of its own power plants.

Investigations of Irang Hydro Electric Power with 60 MW capacity and Tuivai Hydro Electric Project with 51 MW capacity have been taken up under NEC funding.

Side by side, works on the Tipaimukh Hydro Electric project with 1500 MW capacity and Loktak Downstream Hydro Electric project with 90 MW capacity are also being taken up.

Under the National Action Plan, all the villages are to be electrified by 2009 and electricity to all households is to be provided by 2012.Under the reform programme, the State Government has already signed the agreement for setting up a Joint State Electricity Regulatory Commission for the States of Mizoram and Manipur.

The Governor pointed out that the present drinking water demand for Imphal city and its suburbs has been assessed at 109 million litres per day against the actual availability of about 70 MLD only.

To bridge the gap between the demand and the supply, the project on Augmentation of water supply for Imphal city, Phase-1 (29.50 MLD) at an estimated cost of Rs 43.28 crores under NLCPR has been taken up.

Augmentation of water supply schemes for five hill district headquarters are also being taken up under NLCPR and three schemes are targeted to be completed by March, 2006, he added.

Emphasising on the need to increase the Agricultural production, the Governor said that the Agriculture Department has been implementing various centrally sponsored schemes under Macro Management Mode of Agriculture for which a sum of Rs 8 cores as Ist instalment was released during 2005-06.For development of Tamenglong district considered to be the most backward districts, the State Government has released Rs 7.50 crores out of Rs 15 cores earmarked under Rashtriya Shram Vikas Yojana, to DRDA Tamenglong for development of rural infrastructure.

Steps are also being taken up to implement the National Employment Guaranteed Act, 2005 to provide 100 days wage employment in a year to all unemployed persons in Tamenglong district, the Governor informed.

The Government is committed to provide adequate facilities for teaching Science and Mathematics to the students, particularly in the hill areas of the State for which the process of special recruitment of about 382 Mathematics and Science teachers has been started.

For providing adequate accommodation for doctors and Paramedical staff in the hill districts, a sum of Rs 20.01 crores has been earmarked in the year 2006-07 under SPA.

Speaking on women issues, Dr Sidhu announced that the Government has decided to set up a Manipur Women Commission for protection and safeguarding the rights of the women in the State.

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