Budget Session begins :: Government actions pragmatic : Governor
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 08 2011: " Waakat Meephams or sit-in-protests are promptly organised against undergrounds that kidnap, kill or indulge in extortion" � Governor,Gurbachan Jagat .

With Governor's call for whole-hearted support, cooperation and understanding of the members of the House in the cherished goal of making Manipur a peaceful and prosperous state, the budget session of the Assembly began here today.

In his 55 minute long address, Governor Gurbachan Jagat said that the state faced many unprecedented crises and challenges.

Despite all this, "my government dealt with all these challenges and crises in the most pragmatic and professional manner." It is a matter of great satisfaction, he added.

Government has achieved significant success in many fields "yet my Government is aware that there are numerous challenges and constraints facing us," Gurbachan seeking cooperation and support of the legislature in the government's efforts to bring peace and prosperity.

Asserting that government is committed to equitable and inclusive development with secular deals, he said that with this guiding value, the government has pursued equitable development of people residing in both hills and valley areas.

The traditional communal amity between different ethnic communities came under stress, the Governor said and he was happy when the government thwarted all such nefarious attempts.

"I would like to commend the state administration as a whole and the state police, the Army and the Assam Rifles, who worked tirelessly in tandem with government of India to keep control and restore peace through sustained co-ordination.

The Governor complimented the people of the state for their demonstration of a high degree of patience and understanding during the tumultuous period of prolonged blockades on the national highways.

The blockades called by "certain vested elements" in 2010 had seized the state, causing acute suffering to the people.

The 60-day long blockade created scarcity of essential commodities.

However, with the help of various State and Central government agencies, the State government managed to maintain minimum required stocks, even resorting to air lifting of commodities, he said.

To avoid disruption of traffic along the NHs caused by frequent blockades in future, government has made a specific request to the Central Government to ensure that the second "lifeline" NH 53 is made motorable all year round.

The Centre has decided to assign the work to the BRO, Gurbachan informed.

The revival of the six Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in hill districts after a gap of more than two decades was a part of decentralization of democracy, the Governor said touching on the government's efforts for a meaningful democratic practice by promoting leadership at the grass roots level.

"Inspite of resistance by anti-democracy vested interests, the successful conduct of elections to the six ADCs, has won acclaim all over.

My government has already devolved greater powers to these tribal councils and has empowered them to provide local self government to meet our tribal peoples' aspirations," he said.

In order to promote leadership at grass roots level, government has taken measures towards capacity building of the representatives under Panchayati Raj system by organizing training programmes, he added.

On the law and order scenario of the state he observed an increasing realization among the general public about the activities of the UG outfits.

He said "This has raised willingness to resist, he said, citing 'Waakat Meephams' or sit-in-protests are promptly organised against undergrounds that kidnap, kill or indulge in extortion" .

The law and order scenario of the state was showing signs of a turn-around, he said, asserting that the number of civilians killed and injured has come down from 92 dead and 117 injured in 2007 to 20 and 53 respectively in 2010 .

The number of police personnel and security forces killed has also come down from 41 to 5 in the corresponding period.

In the same period the number of extremists arrested has risen from 1296 to 1397 and detentions under NSA have risen from 145 to 230 .

"In fact, we are seeing signs of improvement which go beyond statistical data.

Regarding the financial management of the government, he said that following the fixation of the borrorowing ceiling by the Government of India, the State Government has taken several steps to increase its revenue receipts to finance its plan and non-plan expenditures.

"My government is committed to abide by the targets envisaged in the Manipur Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act and all concerted efforts shall be made to further improve the fiscal situation." he said.

He was also pleased when government was able to obtain a record annual plan outlay of ' 2600 crore during 2010-11, a quantum jump of 30% over the ' 2000 crore outlay under annual plan 2009-10.Plan expenditure registered an average growth of 9.12% per annum and capital expenditures increased by almost 50% during the period, he said.

The Governor also highlighted various achievements of the government in sectors like education, agriculture, drinking water supply, power, public works infrastructure, irrigation and flood control, urban development, youth affairs and sports, tourism, information technology, relief and disaster management, welfare of weaker sections, Manipur Bhavan infrastructure among others.

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