Imphal, August 30: While conceding that law and order uncertainty besieging the State had been impeding progress and development of the State's socio-economic status, Commerce and Industries Minister Yumkham Irabot Singh pledged of mitigating grievances of the Moreh public with regarding to provision of essential items under the PDS.

The Minister in his address at a special programme of local traders of Moreh town today also conceded that fluid law and order situation in the State is posing the toughest challenge in the development of border trade.

Speaking on the occasion at the conference hall of moreh Trade Centre, the Minister asserted that owing to disturbances caused by underground outfits the Govt could not properly execute developmental programmes in the State with one of the hardest hit areas being Moreh town.

He expressed annoyance that inspite of the State Govt making all out effort to improve facility and volume of border trade hindrances by disruptive elements had been impeding progress particularly in the development of Integrated Check Post which the Govt had been taking keen interest.

Irabot also noted that existence and sprout of armed groups in the region with varying principle and agenda is crippling economy of manipur even though maximum attention is being given by the State Govt to smoothen import-export activities in the border through phase-wise development of the Integrated Check Post.

Further contending that indulgence and intervention by UG groups have been hampering initiative of the Govt to ensure availability of PDS items to the deserving people, the Minister nevertheless highlighted that in Moreh's case PDS items such as rice, sugar and kerosine oil are being allotted on a regular basis.

Irabot pledged initiative at his personal level to punish guilty officials if any case of such essential items not reaching the people is reported to him and suggested that people convey their grievances on mismanagement of PDS items in the form of written complaints.

Taking note that the Moreh Warehouse was inaugurated in 2003 but the facility is yet to be utilised, the Minister criticised officials concerned for not taking into confidence why the Warehouse is not being used.

The programme was attended by officials and representatives of Moreh Land Customs Station, UBI, Indo-Myanmar Border Trade, Moreh Trade Chambers of Commerce, Meitei Council Moreh, Hill Tribal Council (Moreh), Tamil Sangam, Manipur Chambers of Foreign Trade and Commerce and Industries Department.

On their part local traders pointed out that after the 22 items listed in the Border Trade had been declared as free items trading on these select items had been reduced to a farce as apart from the trade volume of these items gradually declining, obtaining requisite permission or necessary document (challan) for such items have becoming very complex.

The traders also highlighted that condition of Imphal-Moreh road along the National Highway 39 has gone from bad to worse in addition to collection of innumerable taxes by both legal and illegal entities at security check posts discouraging genuine traders.

Further highlighting that owing to various reasons traders of repute have been shying away from commercial activities linked with Moreh, they drew the Minister's to prevail upon the Government for necessary and immediate redressal measures so as to ensure Moreh retain its reputation as the trade zone with high potential.

Prior to attending the session, Minister Irabot inspected development of road from Lalkai Veng upto the International Border Trade Gate No 1 under the sponsorship of ASIDE Scheme as well as construction of bridge over the Khujairok river.

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