With the completion of four successful years of citizen-centric governance, the State Government today celebrated its achievements accomplished during this period in a grand function titled, ‘Emerging Manipur – Celebration of 4 years of Achievement’ at City Convention Centre.

Inauguration and dedication of 311 projects worth Rs. 1096.05 crores to the public, foundation stone laying of 39 new projects to be taken up at a total estimated cost of Rs. 278.77 crores, video presentation and photo exhibition on Government’s achievements and launching of State-focus paper on developmental works to be taken up with the assistance from NABARD during 2021-22 were the main highlights of the celebration among others. It may be mentioned that N. Biren Singh led coalition Government was sworn-in on March 15, 2017.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar Singh graced the function as chief guest and president respectively. Works Minister Th. Biswajit, Water Resources Minister Letpao Haokip, Public Health Engineering Minister Losii Dikho, Forest Minister Awangbow Newmai, Education Minister S. Rajen Singh, Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister Shri Vungzagin Valte, Agriculture Minister O. Lukhoi Singh, MAHUD Minister O. Henry, Chief Secretary Dr. Rajesh Kumar and DGP LM Khaute were also seated on the dais as dignitaries.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Minister said that whatever the present State Government had achieved till date was due to the unstinting support of the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and co-operation from the people of Manipur. People of Manipur are indebted to the Central Government for implementing Inner Line Permit System in the State, he said.

Stating that no Government should be anti-people, N. Biren Singh said that the present Government had always been trying to connect with the people by understanding their grievances and respecting their sentiment. That was how they could emerge as a citizen-centric Government within a short span of time, he added. The Chief Minister also appreciated his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs and bureaucrat officers for working as a strong team.

Mentioning important achievements of the Government, the Chief Minister said that they could bring governance close to the public through monthly interactions of ‘Meeyamgi Numit’ and ‘Hill Leaders’ Day’. In a span of around three years before COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Minister said that he personally met around 40,000 people to attend to their grievances. Out of this, the Chief Minister informed, around 17,000 grievances were disposed.

He also said that ‘Go to Hills Mission’ could bring various infrastructure developments in the hills bridging the hill-valley gap and bringing emotional integrity. On the other hand, the Chief Minister said, ‘Go to Village’ took the governance to people’s doorsteps covering 2,691 villages less than one year. People to people contact was enhanced with the revival of Manipur State Transport after a gap of 15 years and bus services between Imphal and various hill destinations started, he added.

With the setting up of the Anti-Corruption Cell, more than 300 corruption-related cases were taken up and more than 30 Government officials punished, he informed. ‘War on Drugs’ campaign was initiated towards bringing a drug-free society, and it has now become a people’s campaign with people from all walks of life supporting it. Law and order has also improved considerably and police-people relation is also getting better, he added.

The Chief Minister further said that the enrolment of students in Government schools had improved with the launch of the ‘School Fagathansi’ Mission. Chief Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Civil Services Coaching was launched for poor and meritorious students, he added. Apart from Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang and Chief Ministergi Sotharabasing-gi Tengbang, the State Government had also hiked pension amount for journalists and launched pension schemes for retired artists and sportspersons, he said. Around 6.75 lakh cards of Ayushman Bharat and CMHT schemes had been issued so far, he added.

The Chief Minister also said that the condition of Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal-Dimapur highways, which are the lifelines of the State, had improved significantly. The construction of Makru, Barak and Irang bridges are also progressing fast. The start-Up scheme had benefitted many entrepreneurs. 2.11 lakh households had been provided functional tap water connection till date against target 4.51 lakhs households, he added.

In his speech, Awangbow Newmai said that Manipur is now in safe hands with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh leading the Government. He is the right captain who can sail through different obstacles.

Speaking at the occasion, S. Rajen said that with the return of normalcy and many developments works being taken up, Manipur is again becoming a Sanaleibak (Golden Land) under Shri N. Biren’s leadership.

In his speech, Works Minister Th. Biswajit said that people should thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for bringing a new India and new Manipur through different development works and noble schemes. He said that revocation of Article 370, construction of Ram Mandir, the abolition of Triple Talaq and implementation of ILPS in the State was significant works among others of the Government. He also said that the Imphal-Kohima-Mariani transmission line would improve the power situation of the State.

Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar said that although most of the Ministers and ruling MLAs are first timers, the Government could perform well due its pro-people ideas and governance.

Release of Coffee Table Book on Government’s achievements, the release of district-specific e-book, distribution of solar study lanterns to selected students of 16 districts, launching of mobile rural mart and handing over of mobile vans to three Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), launching of 11 FPOs in command areas of Thoubal Multipurpose Project, launching of Menstrual Hygiene Scheme and distribution of kits to beneficiaries were other highlights of the celebration. Earlier, the Chief Minister also opened a photo exhibition highlighting achievements of different Government Departments at the ground floor of City Convention Centre.