Ukhrul: Chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh led state government held its first cabinet meeting in the hill district for this year at Ukhrul district headquarters.
During its meeting today, the state cabinet approved and handed over an order for the setting up of Tolloi police station and SDC office at Paoyi village. People of Ukhrul accorded a warm welcome to chief minister N Biren and his cabinet ministers. The chief minister chaired the cabinet meeting in the conference hall of the DC complex in the morning before attending a public function at the Mini Secretariat complex, Ukhrul. His team also attended a reception ceremony at Hundung village later in the day.
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During his visit, N Biren Singh laid foundation stones and inaugurated various projects in the district and handed over projects worth Rs 64.38 crores to the public of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts. Addressing the public function at the DC office complex, Mini Secretariat, Ukhrul district headquarters, N Biren said the present government will take development of Ukhrul into a summer city as a priority. Highlighting that with the growing population in Ukhrul, the town is facing land issues while taking development works, the chief minister mulled the idea of developing a new Ukhrul township near Sirarokhong and urged the people of Ukhrul to consider it. Stressing that Ukhrul is an important town after Imphal, he said Ukhrul should also be a major part of the vision for North East and development programmes meant for Manipur under prime minister Narendra Modi. N Biren said that the main concern in Ukhrul at present is water scarcity, and stressed the need to develop water sources to address the issue. He declared that Rs 6 crore had been sanctioned for augmentation of the water supply to Ukhrul town as immediate relief. Assuring the construction of a dam at Shirui at the cost of Rs 180–200 crore to pump water to the entire Ukhrul, to be taken as the first priority, he sought the support of all including CSOs and MLAs to settle any dispute so that the construction of the dam can be completed without any problems. He added that the second priority would be the completion of the Imphal-Ukhrul road. The chief minister said one should do politics, but it should not be disruptive politics. He elaborated that if the government had not delivered the assurances or commitments announced during his previous visits in 2017-18, he would not have been able to return today. The government was chosen by the people, and the government will deliver all their assurances or commitments, he said, adding that there should be no politics in development. On the lifting of the ban on mobile internet, the chief minister urged the people, especially the students and youth to be patient and wait for at least some more days. With the support of the people, we are moving towards peace and development, he said, further seeking the support of the people.
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Chief minister N Biren also spoke about the relation between the Tangkhuls and the Meiteis and said we were divided politically for some time but today with the blessings of God, we are today moving along the path of brotherhood. Stating that he will lay the foundation for a Meitei and Tangkhul heritage museum at Hundung, the chief minister said let the new generation of all indigenous people come and live together in peace.
He also assured that a nursing college will be set up in Ukhrul soon. N Biren Singh also said that now that prime minister Modi has said that the government aims to set up at least one medical college in each district, he will take construction of a medical college in Ukhrul as first priority. He also appreciated CSO leaders and village chiefs for their anti-drug campaign in support of the War on Drugs campaign, highlighting that Rs 1.5 lakh youth have been affected by drugs and approved opening of a Drug Rehabilitation Centre worth Rs 5 crore under the Social Welfare department.
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He further sanctioned the construction of a cold storage facility in the district. The chief minister said Go to Hills was launched to bridge the gap between the hills and the valley so that unity and equal development could be brought to the state. On behalf of Ukhrul and Kamjong district, Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah in his welcome speech expressed his deep gratitude and thanks for giving so many projects to the people of Ukhrul and Kamjong district. In his speech he also requested and urged the chief minister to start or organise the Shirui festival again since the chief minister is the patron of this beautiful festival.
Appointment letters under the die-in harness scheme for the Autonomous District Council office were also distributed to 26 individuals by the chief minister. The projects for which foundations were laid today are construction of Bailey Bridge at Challou River at Poi village, construction of road from NH-202 to Halang village circular road, improvement of Inter village circular road at New Tusom Christian village which will be constructed under PWD.
Construction of PHSC Phungcham and Siroy under PM ABHIM, Construction of Type IV, III and Type II police quarters at Ukhrul, Chingai, Jessami, Shangshak, Somdal and Litan PS under MHPC Ltd. Construction of government children’shomes at Ukhrul under Engg Cell Health and Family Welfare. Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme under MSPCL, Construction of Cultural Centre Cum Multipurpose Building in Ukhrul and Upliftment of integrated farming in Huishu village under NEC. The chief Minister also handed over 20 various projects for inauguration to the people of Ukhrul which are construction of Women’s Hostel and Girls’ Hostel at Ukhrul headquarter and Paoyi Chingai village Ukhrul district under MOBEDS. Construction of PHSC building at TUSOM CV, Ngainga, Chingai, and Ringui Lungchong Maiphei, Ukhrul district which is also under MOBEDS. Construction of school building and sanitation for boys and girls at Sirarakhong, Ngachonmi, Ringui Ayotang, Ringui Ramhon, and Paorei Primary School Ukhrul district. Inauguration of guest house at Shirui under PWD, Geriatric Ward at District Hospital Ukhrul under Health and family welfare, inauguration of Barrack type quarter at PHC Lambui under MTDC, Augmentation of water supply scheme at Yaolen village, Paoyi Azingtang village, Chingjaroi CV, Leyaram village, Tora Khunou, and Lungreiphung village under PHED. The chief minister also inaugurated an open gym at Ukhrul which was constructed under YAS.
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Various memorandums were also submitted to the chief minister and the concerned ministers present. Later after the program the chief minister also laid a foundation stone for setting up a heritage site at Hundung village.