Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of various developmental projects worth Rs 3,500 crore for Manipur virtually on Saturday at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound.
It has been more than 10 months since the ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur as Prime Minister Narendra Modi continually ignores the violence and refuses to say a word besides not visiting the state.
The inauguration and foundation stone laying for development projects was conducted under ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit North East’ worth Rs 55,600 for six different states of North East at IG Park, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
The six north eastern states included Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh.
On the sidelines of the event, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi could have attended the programme from Delhi, but considering the seriousness of the development of the North eastern people, he attended the inauguration physically at Arunachal Pradesh.
Responding to the media, CM Biren said two MPs from the BJP will win from Manipur in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election, and Narendra Modi will remain as Prime Minister of India for the third term.
He said the state government has already sent recommendations for immediate implementation of NRC in the state. It is the responsibility of the Central government to convert it into action, but the state government will mount pressure upon the Central government for immediate implementation of NRC in Manipur.
Regarding the deporting of Myanmar nationals, Biren responded that a large number of Myanmarese nationals have been detected and a legal process has already been started to deport remaining foreign nationals.
Addressing the formal function at the City Convention Centre, Biren said that the North Eastern States has witnessed a big change since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country.
He further highlighted the projects virtually inaugurated and foundation stones laid by the Prime Minister. He said for Manipur, the projects amounting to Rs 3500 crore (approx.) include foundation stones for 36 projects for a total amount of Rs. 1748 crore (approx.) and 45 projects with a total amount of Rs 1703 crore (approx.).
Highlighting the foundation stone laying of a Unity Mall at a project cost of Rs. 149 crore (approx), he said that the Unity Mall will have separate stalls for all recognised communities in the State. Further stating that it is an important project which was proposed by the State government, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving it.
Biren also thanked the PM for the laying of infrastructure Development of Maternity and Child Hospital.
He said the projects also include infrastructural development of Manipur Technical University at a project cost of Rs. 54 crore and that it will be beneficial to the youth. He also highlighted infrastructural development of the Processing Zone of IT SEZ.
He said that the PM had suggested laying special focus on sports to divert the youth from drugs which has led to ideas like One Village, One ground (Khungang Ama Sanabung Ama). He added foundation stones for football grounds with natural grass in 7 different locations.
Other projects for which foundation stones were laid include school infrastructure development, two road projects under NESIDS, two national highway projects (Imphal-Jiribam, Ukhrul-Taloi-Tadubi) and four bridges under Setu Bandhan, he added.
Projects which were inaugurated include two roads under CRIF, water supply schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission, Craft Handloom village at Moirang, four National Highway Projects (Imphal-Moreh; Tamenglong-Khongsang; Maram-Peren; Churachandpur-Tuivai).
Highlighting the situation of the Sangai deer, N Biren Singh observed the need to preserve and protect nature and the environment. He said that hte people should understand that people depend on nature to survive and that it is not nature that depends on humans to survive.
He also stressed on the rejuvenation work of Lamphelpat and said that a lot of environmental changes like the arrival of migratory birds have been witnessed in the area at present.
He expressed the need to develop and preserve more water bodies in the State.
He said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, many chronic issues which were witnessed in Northeast, especially in Manipur have been solved which provided a sense of security to the people.
He highlighted the implementation of the Inner Line Permit in the State by the Narendra Modi government. He also highlighted the Centre's decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime and erect border fencing, stating the people ought to appreciate the positive steps taken up by the Centre.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the programme also dedicated Sela Tunnel to the nation and launched the UNNATI scheme worth about Rs 10,000 crores. The development projects encompasses sectors like rail, road, health, housing, education, border infrastructure, IT, Power, Oil and Gas, among others
The formal function at City Convention Centre was attended by Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education RK Ranjan Singh, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Maharajah Leishemba Sanajaoba, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi, DGP Rajiv Singh, senior administrative and police officers, among others.
