As we said before, the ruling party BJP’s singular focus for the upcoming 2022 general elections have turned out to be the ‘Go to Village’ mission. The said initiative happens to be the brainchild of Chief Minister N Biren Singh which was conceived as a result of his public interactions in Miyamgi Numit and Hill Leaders Day, where he heard the concerns and grievances of the general public. It was basically aimed at service delivery of various government schemes to the general population up to the village level and ensure the reach of governance in every nook and corner of the state. In the first edition, around 2,669 villages were covered and it is set to reach as many villages as it can under the Go to Village 2.0. Stalls of different government departments and banks had been set up at the playground to provide assistance under the mission. It is like taking the government directly to the people at the village level instead of the villagers coming to the government offices for availing the various services and the benefits. Now, the second edition of Go to Village mission aims to hold public service delivery camps in all the 16 districts of the state in which 4.51 lakh households will be covered in 50 days. This initiative will extend essential public service benefits of various state and central government schemes to the doorstep of all the citizens of Manipur. The second edition started at Thoubal Moijing. During the programme, Chief Minister N Biren Singh distributed assistances under various schemes including smartphones under CM e-Support Scheme, textbooks, uniforms, sports equipments under Education Department, Manipur Start Up Scheme, Cards under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT), Widows’ Pension Scheme, Pension, aid and appliances for physically challenged, Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) among others.
After Thoubal Moijing in Thoubal district, it was held at Takhel in Imphal East and Kakching district. The latest was held at Salam village in Imphal West district, while it is being planned for Jiribam and Bishnupur districts also. The difference this time is that the campaign is held for three continuous days in a single location instead of one day. The objective is primarily to cater to the needs of the people of the district, including neighbouring villages. Given the constant harassment and indifferent attitude of government officials besides the red tape one has to go through in their visits to government offices for availing services, the Go to Village mission is indeed a boon to the simple-minded and innocent villagers. The opposition, mainly the Congress surely can feel it and that is why they are trying hard to find fault with it. But, the second edition of the Go to Village has become more of a political festival than a state government affair. In fact, the mission is being organised by the state Planning department in collaboration with various government departments and even the banks. We know that the Go to Village mission has become the prime focus of BJP this time and it aims to take maximum advantage out of it, before the final announcement of the assembly polls. It understands that door-step service delivery of schemes and benefits, including Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) could be a winner as the party makes its final lap to the finishing line. But, we never thought, the ruling party BJP would be so daring as to openly flaunt it without even a care. Of course, the election code of conduct is yet to come. At Takhel in Imphal East, BJP brass was seen taking to the stage in the Go to Village event. The event at Salam Thongkhong was more like a political festival with BJP flags fluttering everywhere.
