Chief Minister N Biren Singh has assured the people in Manipur that tap water connection will be provided to every household in the state by December 2022.
Biren made the assurance on second day of the first session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in a response to the observation moved by legislators in the house during discussion and voting on demands for supplementary grants.
Wangkhei AC MLA Thangjam Arunkumar and Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute had raised the matter of water scarcity issue in the state.
Biren said that the water supply scheme taken up by the state government with the support of New Development Bank is almost on the verge of completion.
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Despite the fact that most of the developmental works are being hindered by COVID-19 pandemic, around 63 per cent of household have been connected with tap water supply during this tough period, he said.
The state is putting all effort to provide tap water to every household by December 2022, the CM said.
Lilong AC MLA Abdul Nasir, stating about alleged release of drug trader whose load of illicit drugs was seized before the recently held election in one of the trucks plying in Lilong, said that though the state government had launched war on drugs, it hardly arrested drug kingpin.
“In one of the cases of drug seizure at Lilong, only the truck driver was arrested and the main culprit was released. The matter must be thoroughly known by concerned police department and Chief Minister N Biren should take serious action in this regard," the MLA said.
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Thangmeiband AC MLA Khumukcham Joykishan also urged the chief minister to give responsibilities to MLAs to contain the drug menace in their respective constituencies.
Responding to their observation, Biren said that the state government will take up stringent action against whosoever is involved in illicit drug trade under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985. He stated that to control the menace, a task force was formed that consist of many high ranking officials which will perform 24 hours surveillance.
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Biren, supporting the appeal made by Joykishan, said that the war on drugs need the support and cooperation from every section of the society.
It may be mentioned that the Imphal Free Press has been extensively covering the water scarcity issue in the state and drawing the attention of the authorities concerned to take urgent steps to address the plight of the common man.
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