Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday expressed confidence in his upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fulfilling a longstanding public aspiration to restore peace in the state.
“It is my duty, now the time has come and that’s why I am going and meeting him. I will take his blessing,” CM Biren said.
The chief minister left Imphal for Delhi on Thursday to attend the Niti Aayog meeting and Chief Ministers’ Conclave both of which will be chaired by PM Modi.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a benefits distribution programme held at his secretariat in Imphal, prior to leaving for the national capital, CM Biren said that he will take the advantage of meeting the PM during the conclave.
“I will take the advantage of addressing the prevailing situation of the state. And I will request him for an immediate solution to the present crisis,” CM Biren said.
“I am very optimistic and I hope something will come positive,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chief minister N Biren on Thursday extended personal invitations to the 10 Kuki Zo MLAs of Manipur to attend the upcoming Assembly Session starting on July 31.
He said, “Invitations have also been dispatched by the Manipur Legislative Assembly. They should come and join. We will cooperate.”
Biren was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the “Distribution of Benefits and Launching of Books” function held at his Secretariat this morning.
It was jointly organised by the Sericulture department and Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board.
Commenting on the recent report of violence including the burning down of a Meetei house in Jiribam, he informed that it is not related with what the public perceived, as the community are not involved.
It seems to be the work of some saboteur who wants to exaggerate the ongoing crisis, he said, adding that investigation has been carried out to nab the culprits.
Speaking at the main event, the chief minister gave a strike to those who make up propaganda on not mentioning Manipur while producing the Economic Budget 2024 in the Parliament.
It is not feasible to mention all the states in the Parliament while presenting a budget as all the funds have been already sanctioned and the government is doing enough, CM Biren contended.
Stating that the central government is extending unwavering support and funds to address the IDPs as well as the victims of the recent flood and hailstones, he said, “We should not be engaged in petty politics in such matters.”
The government takes every matter seriously, he said, adding it is unfortunate that some people are spreading propaganda on social media that the government remains silent spectators in addressing the hardship faced by the people of Manipur during the crisis.
He highlighted that the Centre has already allocated Rs 80 crore for Manipur in response to Cyclone Remal, floods, and hailstorms.
For the families affected by the recent hailstorm, the chief minister stated that GI sheets have been delivered to 42,000 affected families costing around Rs 45 crore.
He maintained that the government has spent Rs 145 crore so far in running the relief camps opened across the state and Rs 124 crore in constructing prefabricated houses for the IDPs.
A one-time financial assistance of Rs 1,000 each to all IDPs for the fourth phase total amounting to around Rs 23 crore has been released, he said, adding another Rs 19 crore have been released as a compensatory package. Also, for providing Nutrition and Personal Hygiene for children a sum of around Rs. 44 crore have been released, he added.
Further, as a part of Special Assistance of Rs 1 lakh per family for displaced families in relief camps, 1st installment of Rs 25,000 per family for 6,000 families has been released, CM Biren said, adding another Rs 20 crore released for an estimated 736 families for construction of permanent houses.
During the Thursday programme, the chief minister released benefits amounting to Rs 1.23 crore to about 495 beneficiaries under four different projects.
The four projects are Integrated Oak Tasar Project in Chandel, Tamenglong, Noney and Churachandpur districts, Eri Project in Senapati and Jiribam districts, Intensive Bi-voltine Project in Ukhrul, Kamjong, and Tamenglong districts and Women Empowerment through Sericulture in Kakching, Chandel, and Imphal East districts.
The programme also witnessed the presence of ministers, MLA and top officials of the Sericulture department and Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board.
