Two power sub-stations at Lakhmai, Namrei, 3 govt offices opened
Pitiable health sector in hills saddens CM
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 16, 2010: The sorry state of health care which identifies the pathetic sight of people's lives in the remote hill areas like Jessami in Ukhrul district, Thanlon, Parbung, etc.

in Churachandpur district has greatly saddened the state Chief Minister, O Ibobi.

The Chief Minister expressed serious concern about the pitiable state of health sector that he saw first hand during his short visit to Jessami in Ukhrul district today.

Addressing a hurriedly organised press conference held at the conference hall of the Chief Minister's secretariat this evening, O Ibobi said that he was shocked on seeing the pitiful state of health sector in the remote areas of Ukhrul like Jessami.

Villagers informed him that there was neither doctor nor nurse at Jessami, the Chief Minister said.

If a patient in an emergency has to come to Ukhrul district headquarter, which is around 100 km from Jessami, the patient has little chance of reaching Ukhrul, he said.

He had assured the villagers of Jessami that the Primary Health Sub Centre there would be upgraded to a Community Health Centre.

Two doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff would be sent there very soon, the Chief Minister said adding that similarly, doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff would also be sent to remote places in Churachandpur district.

Earlier this morning, Chief Minister O Ibobi flew in a helicopter to Lakhmai in Senapati district and Namrei and Jessami in Ukhrul district along with Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii and MPCC president Gaikhangam.

The Chief Minister inaugurated two 33/11KV power sub-stations�one each at Lakhmai in Senapati district and Namrei in Ukhrul district.

He also opened the Jessami police station which has been posted with one SDPO, an office of Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) which was previously SDC circle and another Block Development Office (BDO) at Jessami.

After opening the offices, addressing a mammoth public meeting where thousands of people gathered held at the Jessami public ground at about 12.30 pm, the Chief Minister said that as an instance of the state government's concern about the hill areas, the Jessami police station which was previously looked after by a police Inspector has now been turned into one with a Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) as its head.

Also the SDC circle has been upgraded to SDO and a BDO has been opened.

He further said that in order to alleviate the villagers' trouble of using electricity from Nagaland by paying tax, a 33/11KV power sub-station will also be set up at Jessami as well.

CM O Ibobi, Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, MLA Gaikhangam and TD Minister DD Thaisii

In order to do this, a sum of Rs 10 crore will be required for laying power lines over a distance of 52 km from Namrei to Jessami.

The government will take steps to sanction the required amount very soon, Ibobi announced to a thundering applause from the huge audience.

He also said that the buildings of the just opened offices will be constructed in a short period.

To facilitate administrative effectiveness and convenience, the buildings of the three offices namely SDPO, SDO and BDO will be constructed at the same place.

The Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul district has been entrusted with the responsibility of making a report on how and where to construct the buildings, the Chief Minister said.

He also announced that taking into account the interest of the students of the area, the Jessami High School will be upgraded to the Higher Secondary level.

Regarding the local people's appeal to the government to open a bank at Jessami, Chief Minister Ibobi assured that the government will take necessary steps to open a bank's branch there.

However, a decision on which bank should be opened there will be taken after consultation with experts.

The apparently pleased huge audience was given more cheers when the Chief Minister announced that the government will pay special attention to the remote areas in the hill districts.

As part of the government's special attention, for Ukhrul district, 47 qualified young men from Jessami had been recruited into the Village Defence Force (VDF) recently.

There will be 100 police personnel posted at the just upgraded Jessami police station under the SDPO.

He further assured that the government will give priority to people of the hills in appointment for the District Council once its election is over.

Welcoming the government's slew of actions and assurances, the chairperson of Jessami village, Kamai Wezha, who spoke at the meeting, said, the government had forgotten the people of Jessami for a long time.

Now, Chief Minister O Ibobi came looking for the village as if he was looking for his child who had been hiding for a long time, he said while expressing happiness.

He said, now the unhappiness has been removed, and profusely thanked the Informatin Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur (ICHAM) and the press for coming to the village to get to know of the villagers' tales of woes, and relate the same to the government authorities through the media.

President of ICHAM, N Rajendro @ Boi, who also spoke at the public meeting, expressed somewhat of satfisfaction on seeing the government's various steps to bring about development in the hill areas.

Hundreds of boys and girls in their traditional attire welcomed the Chief Minister and his colleagues on arrival at Jessami.

The people presented Tangkhul shawls to the Chief Minister.