Imphal, January 13 2010: Maintaining that the State has been witnessing continuos healthy fiscal trends since 2005-06 mainly due to prudent financial resource management and higher dispensation from the Centre under 12th Finance Commission award, Governor Gurbachan Jagat has expressed commitment of his Government to control and maintain revenue expenditure at a sustainable level.

In his opening address to the 7th session of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly today, the Governor pointed out that the revenue account of the State continues to show a surplus for the sixth consecutive year.

''We hope to maintain this trend during the next fiscal year with the expectation of reasonable dispensation for the State under the 13th Finance Commission award and sincere commitment of my Government to control and maintain revenue expenditure at a sustainable level'', he said.

The Governor informed that keeping the overall National objectives and general backwardness and inter-district disparity within the State, the draft Annual plan 2010-11 proposals has been prepared with a projected outlay of Rs 3231.09 crores, which is an increase of 59.94 percent from the outlay of Rs 2000 crores for Annual Plan 2009-10 .

Stating that highest emphasis has been accorded to development of infrastructure while preparing the draft Annual Plan 2010-11, he elaborated that in order to catalyse development, 60 percent of the funds have been proposed for roads, power irrigation and other infrastructure projects.

The thrust areas for draft Annual Plan 2010-11 include expansion of existing road network to improve overall connectivity, improvement/upgradation of roads and bridges with focus on widening of State Highways and link roads to National Highways, electrification of all villages by 2012, assured drinking water facilities to all inhabitants by 2012, buildings for all schools by 2010-11 and provide employment to at least one lakh by 2010-11 through revamped SEGP, he said.

Informing that the State Government has been availing additional funds for infrastructure development from the Ministry of DoNER, the disclosed that so far the Ministry had sanctioned 111 projects with a total approved cost of Rs 973.82 crores (from the year 1998-99 onwards).

Against this, 38 projects have already been completed and 73 projects including 20 new schemes with a total approved cost of Rs 681.75 crores are at different stages of progress.

Acknowledging that the State continues to grapple with the problem of insurgency, the Governor said that this has severely hampered development and growth of the State.

With rampant factionalism, presently there are over 30 UG outfits in Manipur.

Saying that the State Government has taken various steps to address this situation, the Governor pointed out that Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement is in place with KNO and UPF representing about 19 hill-based UG outfits.

The Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) constituted under SoO has provided a useful forum for addressing violations and recently an amount of Rs 4.54 crores fraudulently withdrawn from UBI, Churachandpur could be fully recovered.

This is a rare achievement, the Governor lauded.

''In order to bring about peace and normalcy in the State, my Government stands ready to hold talks with any UG outfits as long as they agree to abjure violence and lay down arms and talks held within the framework of the Constitution of India'', he added.

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