Union minister inspects development projects in Manipur

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Aug. 17 (EMN): Union Minister of State for Steel and Rural Development, Faggan Singh Kulaste on Tuesday took stock of various projects under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission in Manipur.

State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj minister and officials of the concerned department accompanied the Union minister. The team inspected the overhead water tank at Khangabok Water Supply Scheme, overhead water tank at Sangaiyumpham Water Supply Scheme at Khangabok Cluster at Thoubal district and development of Health and Wellness of Tentha GP to Primary Health Centre, Tentha.

Kulaste along with the state minister also attended an interaction programme with members of various SHGs at Ebudhou Thongju Lakpa community hall. The interaction was organised by the Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission, department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, govt. of Manipur.

Briefing the media after the interaction, the Union minister said that as reported in other parts of the country, Manipur also has a huge number of SHGs. These SHGs will facilitate increasing employment in the state.

The robust growth of SHGs is a big achievement for the country, especially for womenfolk, he said, adding that it is the prime minister’s vision that we can achieve women’s empowerment only when we empower them financially.

He explained that the SHG is a concept to facilitate women in starting a business to improve the financial condition of their families and help them to become financially independent. He continued that any shortcomings would be sorted out through discussion with the State government as well as at the Central level.

The minister also commended the SHG members for producing good quality items and said the government will try to ensure that raw materials are locally available. He continued that the overhead water tanks inspected today at two different water supply schemes were constructed at the costs around INR 3 crore (approx.) each under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji RURBAN Mission. He stated that these overhead water tanks would help in fulfilling the PM’s dream of providing tap water to every household of the country.

Later, in the afternoon, the Union minister interacted with the state officials in Imphal. During the interaction, Deputy Secretary of RD and PR, Lalrobul Fimate highlighted the progress and status of various schemes undertaken by the department — Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana and National Rurban Mission.