Manipur needs to take steps for better economic trajectory — Finance Commission chairman

Imphal, Nov. 30 (EMN): Steps like harnessing solar and wind power, strengthening human resource and keeping transparency of accounting system needed to put the state in a better economic trajectory, Chairman of 15th Finance Commission N K Singh said. Addressing a press conference here on Friday, the finance commission chairman said the first step is harnessing solar power and it is now available in the state as renewable sources along with wind power, which can be gainfully utilized by Manipur. Increasing the quality of education sector, establishment of more medical, nurses training and paramedic institutions are required to strengthen the rich human resource, NK Singh said. The youths of Manipur does not have to travel long distance for securing educational opportunities for improving the quality of technical education like engineering institutions, he said. The third step, he said is improving the overall matrix of its finances, moving away from the era of depositing to public accounts. Making the accounting system more transparent and aligning the fiscal deficit management trajectory within a time frame, Singh opined that next five years is needed. In this context, he said the hovernment of Manipur presented a detailed memorandum to the Finance Commission and also submitted 25 projects for state’s specific funding for infrastructure and social infrastructure. The chairman assured double digit growth of the economy by improving the per capita income of the state and decreasing poverty number in the coming years and to make Manipur best among the special category states of the country. Earlier in the day, the 15th Finance Commission team led by its Chairman NK Singh arrived here on Thurdsday and had an interaction with the state Chief Minister N Biren Singh, council of ministers and officials of the state.