PC winds up inauguration spree with Tamenglong mini-secretariat, JNV school, power sub-station
Home Minister stresses on pluralistic character
Source: The Sangai Express / G Pamei

Imphal/Tamenglong, November 03 2011: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today inaugurated a newly constructed mini-secretariat at Tamenglong Khunjao together with a JNV School at Duikanglong, two 33/11 KV power sub-stations and two new multi-complexes in Tamenglong district.

The Union Home Minister accompanied by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi went to Tamenglong in a helicopter at about 10 am today.

P Chidambaram first inaugurated the JNV School at Duikanglong and then he opened the Tamenglong mini-secretariat built at Khunjao, before flying back to Delhi today.

Chidambaram also inaugurated one 33/11 KV power sub-station at Tamei.

Another such project was also inaugurated at Tousem subdivisional headquarters.

Addressing a public meeting held inside the mini-secretariat complex, P Chidambaram stated that the Centre and the State Government share a common objective of bringing development in Manipur.

He exhorted the people to have a sense of belonging, saying "Manipur, like other States of India is a plural society" .

Chidambaram also appealed to the UNC to end the economic blockade along the National Highways, and added that blockade or kidnapping will not bring any solution and there is no problem which cannot be solved through 'talks' .

P Chidambaram inaugurates the mini-secretariat at Tamenglong

He also said that UNC was willing to restart the tripartite talk of GoI, GoM and UNC and they wanted the venue to be Senapati.

The Home Minister further said that the minisecretariat inaugurated today would speed up development pace in Tamenglong district.

He gave credit to the State Government and the Tamenglong Deputy Commissioner for successfully completing the mini-secretariat within the stipulated time.

Stating that electricity, water, transport infrastructure, health care and education infrastructure are the basic necessities of the people, the Union Home Minister asserted that it is the duty of the Government to deliver all these basic necessities.

The Union Government has sanctioned enough fund for development of Manipur and there would be no paucity of fund for development purposes.

But there is a need to ensure that the State Government execute and complete the projects in time.

He stated that funds sanctioned by the Centre for development programmes in hill districts of Manipur have been fully utilised whereas the overall plan outlay for the State has been utilised by 39 per cent.

The Union Home Minister also assured more funds, if required, for taking up development programmes in the hill districts.

Pointing that all the States of India are inhabited by different communities, Chidambaram advocated peaceful negotiation among the communities towards an amicable solution as and when any problem crops up.

"Violence would not bring anything positive.

Only when different communities of the country learn to live together in unity, the country can achieve development in the real sense of the term", he stated.

Chidambaram promised to the people that a free bus service will be made available every half an hour to the public and the office goers between Tamenglong bazaar and the mini secretariat.

He also assured that from the present 39% out of the general budget of Manipur under NEC fund, more funds would be spent for hill districts in future.

In his speech, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi stated he felt elated when the Union Home Minister inaugurated and dedicated several development projects to the people in different parts of the State since yesterday.

Noting that the 50-bedded Tamenglong district hospital could not completed till date, Ibobi reminded that the hospital was a component of the Prime Minister' package and it must be completed without any further delay.

For making roads from Tamei to Tamenglong and from Tamei to Kangpokpi, the North Eastern Council has sanctioned Rs 80 crores.

Ibobi informed the gathering that funds sanctioned under NLCPR and NEC for development works in the hill districts of Manipur have been utilised by 80 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.

Noting that the Union Home Minister has personally witnessed the development works taken up by the State Government in the hill districts, Ibobi exuded that the Union Home Minister would apprise the Prime Minister about what he saw in Manipur, and that the Centre would take up further steps deemed necessary.

Like at Tamenglong district Hqs, the Union Home Minister was the chief guest of the school inaugural function at Duikanglong which was presided by the Chief Minister.

There, Chidambaram underscored the importance of education for any society to achieve progress and development.

He also assured to provide whatever support needed by the people of Tamenglong district in their quest for development.

Ibobi stated that JNV School would be able to provide quality education to poor students.

Today's inaugural functions were also attended by Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Hill Areas Committee Vice-Chairman K Panmei, MPCC president Gaikhangam, MLA Awangbou Newmai, top police and civil officials, village chiefs, church leaders, students and local villagers.