Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday assured a financial relief of Rs 1,000 per head for all Internally Displaced Persons in the state for the 5th time of the government’s initiative, ahead of the Ningol Chakkouba Festival, which falls on November 3.
He also assured that the salaries and pensions for state employees would be disbursed before October 31.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the chief minister’s secretariat, Imphal in the presence of his council of ministers and several MLAs.
The chief minister’s press interaction followed his recent four-day visit to the national capital, marking his longest trip since the crisis that began on May 3, 2023.
When questioned about speculations regarding the possible collapse of the state government, the chief minister stated that he had no knowledge of such reports.
He remarked that in a democracy, others could do whatever they wanted, while he would focus on doing what he needed to do.
Regarding the recent meeting between legislators from the Meetei, Kuki, and Naga communities in New Delhi, CM Biren refrained from commenting, stating that the release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) was the official stance.
During the press conference, CM Biren highlighted the efforts of both the central and state governments in working towards restoring peace and development in Manipur.
He announced that the Centre has approved the construction of around 7,000 houses to provide accommodation for people currently residing in various relief camps across the state.
District-wise allocations include Bishnupur with 1,015 houses, Chandel with 511, Churachandpur with 1,331, Imphal East with 594, Imphal West with 225, Kakching with 1,217, Kamjong with 74, Kangpokpi with 1,813, and Tengnoupal with 880 houses.
Biren further announced that several stalled projects related to national highways in the state had received clearance. Additionally, the chief minister revealed that Rs 1,000 crore was set to be sanctioned for road construction projects in both the hill and valley regions.
A separate sum of Rs 175 crore has been released for the construction of concrete roads in Imphal City, Greater Imphal, and areas within a 10-kilometer radius of district headquarters in the hill regions.
He also mentioned that housing with privacy for IDPs is in process. A proposal for urban housing for the general population has been sent for approval.
The ministers attended in the press conference includes Th Biswajit, L Susindro, H Dingo, Th Basanta, Awangbow Newmai, and S Ranjan, while the MLAs are Karam Shyam, S Kunjakeshor, S Premchandra, Dinganglung Gangmei, Th Arunkumar, Kh Ibomcha, L Shanti, M Rameshwar, and Leishio Keishing.
