Manipur CM lays foundation stones of various irrigation projects

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Aug. 28 (EMN): Chief Minister N Biren Singh laid the foundation stones for 375 Surface Minor Irrigation Schemes, 550 Ground Water Irrigation schemes and 151 infrastructure projects to be taken up in different districts through video conference in Imphal on Friday.

These projects are to be taken up with the financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs at a total estimated cost of INR 647 crores. Deputy Commissioners of different districts unveiled the plaques of foundation stones on their respective sites on behalf of the chief minister.

Speaking at the function, Singh said that he had instructed the concerned officials and work agencies to complete all the projects whose foundation stones were laid on Friday by August next year.

Maintaining that there is need for enhancement of irrigation facilities to be self reliant in food production, Singh said the state government had revived 250 defunct lift irrigation schemes when the state faced drought last time. Though the minor irrigation department was a little known department in the past, it has started playing a key role in enhancing irrigation facilities ever since the new government had come, the chief minister said.

He said out of the 151 infrastructure projects for which foundation stones were laid on Friday, many residential schools, working women’s hostels and medical facilities are included. People spent huge amounts of money in children’s education outside the state.

On other fronts, he also said that a guest house for the village chiefs of different districts of Manipur would be constructed at an estimated cost of around INR 7 crore inside Royal Palace complex, Imphal. He also informed that Barak and Makru bridges along Imphal-Jiribam highway would be completed by December this year.

Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar and other ministers also spoke on the occasion which was attended by CAF and PD Minister Karam Shyam, Water Resources Minister Letpao Haokip, Forest and Environment Minister Awangbow Newmai, MPs RK Ranjan and Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, MLAs and high ranking officials of the state government also attended the function.

The 375 surface minor irrigation schemes and 550 ground water irrigation schemes will be implemented by the department of Minor Irrigation, Government of Manipur under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana – Har Khet Ko Pani with the financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. Earlier, Singh also laid the foundation stones for river lift irrigation scheme with lined canal and a working women’s hostel at Kyamgei Mamang Leikai in Imphal east district.