The N Biren Singh led government celebrated the four years in power as completion of four years of “citizen-centric governance,” while highlighting its achievements accomplished during the period in a grand function titled, ‘Emerging Manipur - Celebration of 4 years of Achievement’ in Imphal’s City Convention Centre.

311 projects worth Rs 1096.05 crore inaugurated

By Brown Nongmaithem

IMPHAL, Mar 15: A total of 311 projects worth Rs 1096.05 crores were inaugurated and foundation stone for 39 new projects costing Rs 278.77 crore were laid as BJP-led coalition government in Manipur celebrated its four years in power on Monday.

The N Biren Singh led BJP’s coalition government was sworn-in on this day in 2017.

The N Biren Singh led government celebrated the four years in power as completion of four years of “citizen-centric governance,” while highlighting its achievements accomplished during the period in a grand function titled, ‘Emerging Manipur - Celebration of 4 years of Achievement’ in Imphal’s City Convention Centre.

Inauguration and dedication of 311 projects worth Rs 1096.05 crore to public, foundation stone laying of 39 new projects to be taken up at a total estimated cost of Rs 278.77 crores, video presentation and photo exhibition on government’s achievements and launching of state-focus paper on developmental works to be taken up with the assistance from NABARD during 2021-22 were the main highlights of the celebration among others. 

Almost all the ministers and MLAs of the coalition partners attended the function.

Addressing the occasion, the chief minister said that whatever the present state government had achieved till date was due to the unstinting support of the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and co-operation from the people of Manipur. 

“People of Manipur are indebted to the Central government for implementing Inner Line Permit System in the state,” he said.

Stating that no government should be anti-people, Singh said that the present government had always been trying to connect with the people by understanding their grievances and respecting their sentiment. 

That was how they could emerge as a citizen-centric government within a short span of time, he added. 

The chief minister also appreciated his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs and bureaucrat officers for working as a strong team.

Mentioning about important achievements of the government, the chief minister said that they could bring governance close to the public through monthly interactions of ‘Meeyamgi Numit’ and ‘Hill Leaders' Day’. 

In a span of around three years before COVID-19 pandemic, Singh said that he personally met around 40,000 people to attend to their grievances. Out of this, around 17,000 grievances were disposed of, he added.

He also said that ‘Go to Hills Mission’ could bring various infrastructure developments in the hills bridging the hill-valley gap and bringing emotional integrity. 

On the other hand, the chief minister said, ‘Go to Village’ took the governance to people’s doorsteps covering 2,691 villages in less than one year. 

People to people contact was enhanced with the revival of Manipur State Transport after a gap of 15 years and bus services between Imphal and various hill destinations started, he added.

With the setting up of the Anti-Corruption Cell, more than 300 corruption-related cases were taken up and more than 30 government officials punished, he informed. 

‘War on Drugs’ campaign was initiated towards bringing a drug-free society, and it has now become a people’s campaign with people from all walks of life supporting it. Law and order has also improved considerably and police-people relations are also getting better, he added.

The chief minister further said that enrolment of students in Government schools had improved with the launch of ‘School Fagathansi’ Mission. 

He further said that the condition of Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal-Dimapur highways, which are the lifelines of the state, had improved significantly. 

Construction of Makru, Barak and Irang bridges are also progressing fast. The Start-Up scheme has benefitted many entrepreneurs. 2.11 lakh households had been provided functional tap water connection till date against target 4.51 lakhs households, he added.

State forest minister Awangbow Newmai said that Manipur is now in safe hands with chief minister N Biren Singh leading the government. 

“He is the right captain who can sail through different obstacles,” he said.

Attending the occasion, deputy chief minister Y Joykumar said that although most of the ministers and ruling MLAs were first timers, the government could perform well due its pro-people ideas and governance.

Release of coffee table book on government’s achievements, release of district specific e-book, distribution of solar study lanterns to selected students of 16 districts, launching of mobile rural mart and handing over of mobile vans to three Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), launching of 11 FPOs in command areas of Thoubal Multipurpose Project, launching of Menstrual Hygiene Scheme and distribution of kits to beneficiaries were other highlights of the celebration. 

Earlier, the chief minister also opened a photo exhibition highlighting achievements of different government departments at the ground floor of City Convention Centre.