Market sheds in the hills, mega water project in greater Imphal on Ibobi's lips
CM expresses safety concern on IMC plank
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 11 2011: In view of the fact that Imphal city is located in a highly active seismic zone, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has advised newly elected Councillors of the Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) to keep a check on buildings in Imphal city and ensure they strictly follow IMC bye-laws.

Moreover if any building is constructed it must be out of sheer necessity.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a reception function organised by MPCC at Congress Bhavan here today in honour of the IMC Councillors elected recently.

He pointed out that the IMC has been empowered to enforce the relevant bye-laws for construction of any building in and around Imphal city.

Comparing IMC to a mini-Government, the Chief Minister stated that the IMC would be handed over to the newly elected Councillors after rectifying and removing all the mistakes, anomalies and discrepancies committed by the previous council.

If the Council utilises the taxes collected from different sectors in a proper manner, the council can run on its own fund without seeking grant-in-aid from the Government, Ibobi asserted.

Chief Ministeraddressing the gathering at the reception of Congress (I) Councilors of IMC

He also assured all possible assistance to all local bodies.

Appealing to the people to make Imphal a clean and pollution-free city, Ibobi asserted that the mission to make Imphal a clean and beautiful city can be accomplished only when all the citizens are ready to shoulder due responsibilities.

He informed the gathering that the Planning Commission has approved the State Government's DPR of a mega water supply project at the estimated cost of Rs 600 crores for providing potable water to greater Imphal area by using water from Thoubal river after completion of the Thoubal Multi Purpose Project.

Due processes have also been initiated to install power distribution lines at the estimated cost of Rs 600 crores.

This new initiative can save about 50 per cent of power lost in the transmission process from outside the State, Ibobi stated.

Reiterating that the SPF Government is committed to equitable development of both the hills and valley, Ibobi said that the fund for constructing 7/8 market sheds at the cost of Rs 50 lakhs to Rs one crore each at different small towns of hill districts has been set aside.

To bridge the gap in terms of development, 75 per cent of NLCPR funds are being invested in the hill districts, he stated.

The previous Council was suspended for 5/6 months to resolve the issue arising out of issuing vendor licences at unsuitable places like footpaths, banks of Naga rivulet etc, Ibobi said.

He called upon the newly elected Councillors to work sincerely and cooperate with the Government keeping in mind that Imphal city is being developed as a mission city.

He conveyed gratitude to the people of Imphal and greater Imphal for not only electing Congress candidates but also for enabling the party to secure absolute majority in the IMC elections.

He also appealed to the Councillors not to forfeit confidence of the people.

MPCC president Gaikhangam said that the victory of Congress candidates in the IMC elections was a big moral booster for the Congress.

The thumping victory was also a reflection of the SPF Government's achievements in the last ten years.

Stating that he would tackle problem of groupism now dogging Autonomous District Councils in the hill districts, Gaikhangam said that the nefarious activities of some anti-social elements aimed at keeping ADC's defunct by way of preventing ADCs from functioning at the district headquarters would be a great loss for the hill people.

"This is like destroying our own properties, Yet, people's voice and power can never be suppressed", Gaikhangam asserted.

The function was also attended by Speaker I Hemochandra, Ministers, MLAs and party leaders.