Manipur emerged as the Most Improved Small State (Overall) & Law and Order Award at the India Today e-State of the States Conclave & Awards 2020 which was streamed live on Friday, according to a DIPR report.
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh delivered a short 2-minute video acceptance message during the e-Conclave, the report also said. The steady return of peace to the state is reflected in the improvement of the state as it is ranked in top position in two categories, the report said.
According to the report, unlike the preceding years, India Today held this year’s conclave in the virtual format as the country is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Tamil Nadu emerged as the Best-Performing Big State (Overall) while Assam topped the list of Most Improved Big State (Overall). Goa bagged the award for the Best-Performing Small State (Overall).
It may be mentioned that Manipur was ranked in 8th position in 2019 and 9th position in 2018 in the Most Improved Small State (Overall) category.
The government led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has been pushing the State towards the path of development. In the month of September, foundation stones for 46 different projects under the Home, Police, Transport, IT, Planning, Tourism, and Municipal Administration, Housing & Urban Development (MAHUD) departments were laid at an estimated cost of Rs. 180 crore (approx.)
Recognising that a network of good highways will pave the way for development, foundation stone was laid for 13 highway projects estimated at around Rs 3,000-crore in the month of August.
Manipur is the first state in the country to have an online monitoring mechanism updating the movements of forest products. In March, the State government launched the first ever online portal in the country to monitor the transit of forest produce in the State, revenue collection and prevention of illegal transport and wildlife crimes.
The StartUp Manipur which was launched in March 2018 is aimed to enable the youths/unemployed persons in the State to take up new ventures with new and creative ideas. Subsidy grant of Rs 1.50 lakh each under Idea stage Start Up to 146 beneficiaries for the Manipur Startup round II has already been given to beneficiaries.
According to the report, the annual India Today ‘The State of the States’ study is an attempt to find out which of India’s states offer their citizens the best opportunities, both at work and outside. The study also tracks each State’s performance over time and, in particular, records the changes over the last five years. It takes into account both the business environment and the quality of life. The categories on which the states are judged include economy, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, inclusive development, law and order, governance, entrepreneurship, environment and cleanliness.
NNN