Our correspondent
Imphal, Nov. 4 (EMN): To bring integrity, unity and development in the state one need to have a positive and optimistic approach, said Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday.
“If we want to root out corruption in the State, the change should begin with bureaucrats and politicians. It is the responsibility of the people’s representative or MLAs to work for the welfare of the people, he added,” Singh said at the reception programme organised by the Keishamthong United Club at Kwakeithel Moirangpurel Lampak in Imphal.
He mentioned that since the installation of the present government, the law and order situation has been improved with the support and cooperation of the people of the state.
Stating that there was a gap between the government and its people in the past, however the ‘Go to Village’ initiative has been able to deliver various government services at the doorsteps of the people and has minimized the gap between the two, he maintained.
With the support of the people, he said that the government has initiated ‘War on Drugs’ which resulted to destruction of thousands of acres of illegal poppy
plantation in the state. Alternative livelihood arrangement has been made by the government for those farmers who were engaged in poppy cultivation, he informed.
He disclosed that around 600 people have been convicted so far who were involved in illegal drug activities in the past one year.
Saying that the government has introduced many initiatives for the welfare of the people such as Manipur Start-Up policy, he stated that the government is committed to work tirelessly for the welfare of the people.
The chief minister also mentioned that the government is providing a monthly stipend of INR 1500 to those differently-able people with having a disability of 80% or more. Due to the drug and alcohol abuse, the percentage of the number of widows is very high, he added.
To avoid floods during the monsoon season in Imphal and adjoining areas, he further said that around 460 acres of land has been indentified for the restoration of the Lamphelpat area into water body.
Various clubs and individuals felicitated the chief minister during the function.
