Our Correspondent
Imphal, Nov. 29 (EMN): Manipur government is considering to provide soft loans to the street vendors of Khwairamband Keithel, main market complexes in Imphal.
This was disclosed by Chief Minister N Biren Singh while speaking on the occasion of donating a tipper truck to Imphal Municipal Corporation by the Chief General Manager of State Bank of India North East Circle Wed.
The truck was gifted to IMC as part of SBI’s corporate social responsibility programme.
Chief Minister Biren also asked the officials of Municipal Administration Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD), Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) and women vendors of Khwairamband Keithel to jointly study whether it is possible to provide an alternative livelihood to street vendors by arranging loans for them.
He informed the gathering that the SBI had agreed in principle to provide soft loans to street vendors of the market in Imphal stating that this arrangement is being considered to help the street vendors start their chosen livelihoods at their respective localities, homes and nearby markets, Biren expressed hope that the said initiative would reduce traffic congestion and improve cleanliness in the city considerably.
Mentioning that there has been remarkable improvement in the hill-valley relation in the recent past, the chief minister urged the people of valley districts to take proactive role in restoring the age-old hill-valley bonding.
He also expressed pleasure on learning that the number of visitors to Keibul Lamjao National Park had increased manifold after a venue of Manipur Sangai Festival had been allotted to Keibul village this year.
Regarding various developmental projects declared by the new government, he said that all these projects would be executed without fail as the current government understands that they would be rejected by the people if their promises are not translated into action.
MAHUD Minister Th Shyamkumar in his speech said that different works would be taken up as part of Imphal Smart City project soon.
Stating that women vendors and shopkeepers should not forget their responsibility in keeping the city neat and clean, Shyamkumar contended that all the efforts of the government would go in vain without their cooperation.
IMC Mayor L Lokeshwor, Commissioner (MAHUD) Dr Prem Singh, Chief General Manager of SBI NE Circle PVSLN Murty and General Manager of Network-II SBI NE Circle Digmanu Gupta also attended the function wherein PVSLN Murty handed over the key of the tipper truck to N Biren and L Lokeshwor.
