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Imphal, Jan. 21 (EMN/IANS): Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya on Tuesday celebrated their 48th statehood day with pomp and gaiety.
The erstwhile princely states of Manipur and Tripura were merged into the Indian Union in October 1949 and became full-fledged states on January 21, 1972. Meghalaya was part of Assam before becoming a full-fledged state under the North Eastern Region (Re-Organisation) Act, 1971.
In Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh took the salute at a combined parade of different security forces’ contingents, including the state police.
Addressing a gathering at the Manipur Rifles parade ground in Imphal, the chief minister announced that the state council of ministers in a recent meeting had approved an amount of INR 46 crore for setting up a Heritage Park at Keibul Lamjao in Bishnupur district.
He said the proposed park will have traditional huts to showcase the various customary aspects of all the recognised tribes of the state.
After the park is completed, the main venue of the Manipur Sangai Festival would be shifted to its original birthplace of Sangai though important stalls will be opened in Imphal,” he added.
The chief minister also informed that the government will boots and belts for Village Defence Forceand Home Guards personnel soon.
On the occasion, two progressive farmers Yengkhom Bishworjit Singh of Kakching Panji Leikai and Thingbaijam Johnny Chanu of Lamboikhul Awang Leikai, who had recently received Union Agriculture Minister’s Krishi Karman Award were rewarded with a cash prize of INR one lakh each at the function.
IN Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said that his government’s main goal was to make the state self reliant and ensure efficient and transparent governance.
It was for the second time that Deb was addressing the main function on Statehood Day after becoming the chief minister around 23 months ago following the victory in the state elections of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in alliance with the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), trouncing the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Front .
“The BJP-IPFT government’s main mission is to deliver efficient and transparent governance. Due to the state government’s all-out efforts, revenue collection has increased to 26 per cent in 23 months, from 8.9 per cent,” Deb added.
He said that Tripura is the first state among eight northeastern states and the third state in India, after Goa and Andhra Pradesh, in introducing an online system to operate the Public Distribution System.
“Besides introducing the e-tendering system to maintain transparency in governance, an online payment system has been introduced in various departments and organisations. A single-window clearance system was also introduced for the setting up of industrial units,” the chief minister said.
He also said that with the digitisation of many government services and works, people have been benefited in numerous ways and transparency has been established in governance.
In Meghalaya, various cultural and sports events were organised on the occasion of Statehood Day and the upcoming Republic Day celebrations in different districts.
Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah greeted the people of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura on their Statehood Day.