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* SUMMARY
LIST OF GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS
Address
by His Excellency, the Governor of Manipur, General Kotikalapudi
Venkata Krishna Rao (Retd.) to the Manipur Legislative Assembly on
18.2.1985.
Honourable Speaker and Other Distinguished Members of the House,
I have great pleasure in welcoming you here to the opening session
of the Fourth Legislative Assembly of Manipur. I am confident that
with your vast experience in public life, you will add to the wealth
of this august House and enhance the level of debates and
discussions over matters of public importance.
Honourable Members will join me in paying homage to our beloved
Leader Shrimati Indira Gandhi who was treacherously and brutally
assassinated on October 31,1984. The best homage that we can pay to
her is to follow the ideals that she always stood for. The orderly
transformation of power thereafter to Shri Rajiv Gandhi showed the
unfaltering faith of our people in Democracy and renewed
determination for maintaining unity and integrity of the country.
Through their decisive mandate, the people of Manipur have
unequivocally expressed their faith in a clean and stable
administration. It is also a reaffirmation of the people in the
policies and programmes of my Government and a mandate for putting
an end to violence and lawlessness and taking the State further on
the road to progress. My Government will make every endeavour to
live up to this challenging task.
It is heartening to note the return of some extremist leaders in the
recent general election who have since pledged to work under the
framework of the Constitution. My Government fervently hopes that
others who are still underground will come over ground by abandoning
the path of violence to join the mainstream of national life.
LAW & ORDER
The tangible improvement in the law and order situation over the
years needs no mention. The peaceful conduct of the election itself
bears testimony to the success achieved by my Government in this
field. Honourable Members would recall that there was wide spread
anxiety about the elections in the States and it is indeed a matter
of great pride and satisfaction that there was no major untoward
incident. Any attempt to destabilize has been firmly put down. The
year was virtually free from extremists’ activity and violence and
the Government has largely succeeded in restoring a feeling of
security in the minds of the common men. A large number of extremists
with arms and ammunition were arrested in counter insurgency
operations, which has subdued the insurgent groups to a great extent
and helped in restoring normalcy.
REHABILITATION
While maintaining a constant pressure on the extremists, my
Government has been following a policy of reconciliation and has
encouraged them to abjure violence and lead a peaceful, normal life.
Towards this end 27 extremists facing trial were granted general
amnesty. My predecessor had, in his address to this august House
last year, mentioned about creation of a large number of Class III
and IV posts for absorption of surrendered extremists. I am happy to
state that 62 such persons have already been given employment and
efforts are afoot to absorb others as well. Besides, rehabilitation
assistance has been granted to a large number of persons.
GENERAL ADMN. & SERVICES
My Government has taken a number of steps for improving the service
conditions of employees. The age of superannuation has been restored
to 58 years keeping in mind the difficulties experienced by the
employees if they retire at an early age. Five instalments of
additional dearness allowances and fifteen days ad-hoc bonus has
been granted to different categories of employees. Various other
allowances admissible to them have also been revised in view of the
rising costs.
Special efforts have been made to do away with the ad-hoc culture
that was hitherto prevalent in the Government. A complete ban has
been imposed on further ad-hoc appointments and all the departments
have been instructed to take steps for regularization of the
existing cases with strict adherence to the recruitment rules. As a
part of this policy, 87 class I and 118 Class II officers have been
appointed on promotion on a regular basis. Besides, 55 Class I and
44 Class II officers have been confirmed in their respective
services during the year. Recruitment rules in respect of 38 posts
have also been notified to facilitate regular appointments to such
posts.
It has long been felt that a Government servant has to be vested
with authority commensurate with his responsibilities for him to be
effective. As such, greater delegation of powers is presently under
the active consideration of the Government, which is expected to be
finalized soon. This will go a long way in improving the quality of
administration.
POLICE
In order to improve the efficiency and bring about a qualitative
change in the law and order administration, 2 senior posts in the
rank of DIG along with necessary supporting staff have been created.
The police communication continued to receive high priority and has
seen a lot of modernization. The State now has over 160 Wireless
Stations and all the District Headquarters have a teleprinter link
with Imphal with the result that the communication system has been
infused with an efficiency that was hitherto unknown.
A large number of residential quarters and barracks have been
constructed under the Seventh Finance Commission award, which has
eased the problem of housing of policemen to an appreciable extent.
Our efforts in this direction will continue so that the working
conditions of the police force may improve further.
JAIL
A number of steps have been taken in the past to revitalize and
strengthen the Jail administration in the State which has led to a
significant improvement in this field. Construction of Jails in some
of the hill districts had also been taken up as a part of this
policy. These are expected to be completed shortly which will help
reduce pressure on the Central Jail, Imphal, thus leading to an
improvement in the facilities in our Jails.
VIGILANCE
The State Vigilance Commission has been working at detection and
investigation of cases of corruption and for suggesting preventive
action. A large number of cases were disposed of during the year. A
specific case having wider ramifications has also been referred to
the CBI. There has been a perceptible decline in receipt of cases of
allegation of corruption by the Commission, which is indicative of
the impact it has had in reducing corruption in Government. My
Government is determined to bring about honesty in public life at
all levels and no efforts will be spared in this direction.
LAW
Honourable Members would recall the reference to the legal aid
programme in the State. I am happy to record that a good beginning
has been made in the right direction by providing such aid to a
large number of people during the year. With a view to popularizing
the programme, various conferences and workshops have been organized
at different places and legal aid News Letters have been distributed
free of cost.
FINANCE
I need hardly mention that because of the State’s meagre resources
and expanding areas of expenditure, the ways and means position of
the Government continues to be under strain. This has necessitated
various economy measures to restrict the non-plan expenditure. These
include curtailing avoidable expenditure and restriction on purchase
of vehicles and other luxury items etc.
Effective steps have been taken for mobilizing additional resources.
An area which has received particular attention is that of small
savings where Rs. 34 lakhs had been mobilized by the end of
December’84. Over Rs. 93 lakhs had already been realized as Excise
duties in the first three quarters itself and the figure is expected
to go up to Rs. 1.14 crores by the end of the year. This would
represent a step up of about 25% over last year’s collection. Tax
collection drive has been intensified which is expected to net in
over Rs. 2.5 crores during the current financial year.
REVENUE
The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1980 has been
extended to Khoupum Valley and 809 hectares of land has been
surveyed. The land owners have been issued pattas without charging
any premium. The Department is undertaking survey operation in Ikop
and Kharungpat which are unsurveyed areas in the valley.
To strengthen the revenue administration and bringing it closer to
the people, new SDC offices have been opened at Island in Ukhrul
District and Borobekra of Jiribam Sub-division.
DEVELOPMENT
The improvement in the law and order situation has given an impetus
to our developmental efforts and the State has made rapid strides in
various fields. My Government has been greatly concerned about the
poor and the weaker sections of the society and, as such, poverty
amelioration programmes have been high on our priority. A system of
intricate checks and balances has been devised into the system with
a view to constantly monitoring the implementation of various
programmes and ensuring that the quality of work does not suffer.
NEW 20-POINT PROGRAMME
The New 20-Point Programme has been pursued vigorously. The outlay
on this programme in the current year is of the order of Rs. 26
crores. The State has done consistently well in the fields of IRDP,
supply of drinking water to problem villages, housing for
economically weaker sections, plantation of trees, family welfare,
primary health care facilities, adult literacy and village and small
industries where we were placed in the highest performance group by
the Planning Commission. Our ranking in all the States of the
country was tentatively placed at 12 by the Planning Commission at
the end of December 1984. Under this programme, additional
irrigation potential of 4,000 Ha was created through large and
medium projects and 813 Ha through minor irrigation. Over 8,000
families were brought above the poverty line by providing assistance
under the Integrated Rural Development Programme and the
unemployment problem in the rural areas was mitigated through NREP
which helped in generating 1.22 lakhs mandays of employment. 44
hectares of land was distributed to landless persons, about 4,500
S.C. and S.T. families were provided financial assistance and 105
villages were extended drinking water facilities. 14 villages had
been electrified and over 1 crore trees planted by the end of
December 1984. Three hundred and two small industrial units were set
up and 60 new fair price shops were opened. Two Primary Health
Centres and 61 Primary Health Sub-Centres were also opened and
various steps for control of communicable diseases like T.B.,
Blindness etc. were taken. The performance in some of the areas has
not been up to the mark, but steps are being taken now to ensure
that all the targets set for the current year are achieved well
within time.
PLAN
Honourable Members would recall that this is the terminal year of
the Sixth Plan. The Seventh Plan of the State and the Annual Plan of
1985-86 have already been prepared proposing an allocation of Rs.
1,093 crores and Rs. 193 crores respectively. Against this, the
working group has recommended a total outlay of Rs. 560 crores for
the seventh Plan and Rs. 102.7 crores for the Annual Plan 1985-86.
The plan is yet to be finalized.
In response to the growing needs of the State, a separate unit of
Science and Technology and Environment has been created to oversee
the implementation of science and technology oriented programme in a
more effective and efficient manner.
AGRICULTURE
Although the State has had erratic precipitation during the mid crop
season in 1984-85, the performance in the agricultural sector has
been very gratifying. The production of rice touched an all time
high of 3,45,000 tonnes. The Union Agriculture Ministry has also
appreciated the performance of the State Government in this sector.
The production of pulses and oilseeds also registered impressive
growth. Efforts have been made to increase the production as well as
productivity through increased use of fertilizers and pesticides,
high yielding varieties of seeds which now cover an area of 80,000
hectare and large-scale extension work. It is a result of these
programmes only that the productivity of rice in Manipur is today
the highest in the entire North Eastern Region.
The tea and coffee plantations in Jiribam have been fairly
successful. Additional 40 hectares will be brought under tea
plantation and coffee plantation will cover an area of 14 hectares
by the end of this financial year. These estates are being developed
under the direct supervision of the Plantation Crops Corporation.
Honourable Members would recall that four coffee estates had been
established at Sorbung in Ukhrul and New Pansang, Parbung, and
Senvawn in Churachandpur last year. Three more such estates are
expected to be set up by the end of this year.
HORTICULTURE & SOIL CONSERVATION
Manipur abounds in horticultural produce and the agro climatic
conditions in the State are eminently suitable for development of
horticulture. However, an effective strategy for full exploitation
of this potential has not been evolved so far for want of
statistical data. In order to overcome this shortcoming,
horticultural census on 100% enumeration basis had been taken up in
1982-83. This survey is expected to be completed this year, which
will provide valuable information for formation of a long-term
programme for horticultural development.
A large number of seedlings were raised in Government nurseries this
year, which were even sent to States located as far as Madhya
Pradesh. This has opened up new avenues of development. Another
remarkable achievement was the finalisation of a large export deal
with the USSR. Further export possibilities are being explored. A
new beginning has been made with the introduction of bottled fruit
drinks, which have been very popular with the public. This activity
will be further expanded in the years to come.
My Government is greatly concerned about the practice of jhum in the
hill areas, which has been causing incalculable harm to the ecology
of the State. With a view to preventing further damage, soil
conservation programmes have been taken up on watershed basis.
Survey of Luwangleima Water-shed has been completed and of
Sibpurikhal is in progress. Four pilot projects on water harvesting
and propagation of technology in rain fed areas have also been taken
up under the aegis of the N.E.C. this year.
FOREST
The fast erosion of the forest wealth of the State has been a cause
of alarm and my Government has intensified its efforts to arrest
this trend. We have taken up various programmes that would enable
intensified utilization of forest, waste and marginal lands and
generate employment in the rural and hill areas. The main strategy
includes intensification of afforestation programme to restore
ecological balance, planned utilization to increase productivity of
forest land, popularization of social forestry programme to meet the
fuel wood requirement of the people and taking up measures for
protection of wildlife.
In order to attain these objectives, 25 development schemes under
the forestry sector were taken up this year. These include
plantation of species of industrial and commercial value like teak,
pine etc. over an area of 1,200 hectares, plantation of fuel wood
and small timber over an area of 1,605 hectares under the social
forestry programme and rubber plantation in Jiribam area, which now
covers an area of 415 hectares.
Large scale afforestation has also been done as a part of soil
conservation programme. Over 1,500 hectares of area was brought
under the forest cover with a view to keeping the hill slopes and
the denuded area under permanent vegetative cover and preventing
further siltation of the riverbeds.
IRRIGATION & FLOOD CONTROL
Honourable Members would recall that my Government had embarked on
irrigation projects in a big way in the sixth Plan. Altogether 7
major and medium projects are currently under way and the potential
expected to be created by the end of the plan is 43,000 hectares.
Khoupum Dam Project has been completed and the Loktak Lift
Irrigation, Imphal Barrage and Sekmai Barrage Projects have also
started giving partial irrigation benefit. These Projects will be
completed in all respects early next year. Singda Dam Project had
run into rough weather due to unexpected geological problems which
have now been sorted out and it is expected to be completed in the
Seventh Plan. In addition to this, 2,000 hectares of irrigation
potential will be created though minor irrigation scheme this year
which will raise potential thus created to 12,756 hectares. Further,
24 RLI Schemes have been completed this year against a target of 16.
The ravages caused by periodic floods in the State have been
engaging the attention of my Government and we have intensified our
efforts to tackle them on a long-term basis. Up till now flood
control works were being executed on a piecemeal basis. However,
master plan for flood control has now been prepared and submitted to
the Central Water Commission. Flood control projects in respect of
some of the major flood causing rivers like Imphal, Iril, Thoubal,
Wangjing, etc. are also under preparation. Merakhong Project is
already being implemented. A total of 19,250 hectares area had been
given protection up to the end of 1983-84. This year another 2,500
hectares will be added to this.
COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
You will recall that a Command Area Development Authority was set up
in the State in the year 1982-83 with a view to creating irrigation
infrastructure for efficient utilization of the potential created by
the various irrigation projects and providing extension services to
the farmers. This is being achieved mainly through construction of
field channels and introduction of Warabandi system of irrigation.
Field channels to cover an area of 3,000 hectares are expected to be
completed by the end of this year.
CO-OPERATION
The State has a very large number of co-operative societies mainly
in the field of agriculture and handlooms. As agriculture is the
main occupation of the people, the Government has concentrated its
effort on providing better agricultural services. Altogether 4
Agro-Service Centres have already been opened with this end in view
and another 5 are likely to be opened with NCDC finance. Large
quantities of fertilizers, fruits and vegetables were also marketed
through the Co-operatives. Generous assistance was also given to the
Fisheries Co-operative Societies for development of inland
fisheries. Honourable Members would be aware of the shortage of milk
that exists in the State. In order to promote dairy activity, a
Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union was organized recently in
Senapati with 61 primary milk producers’ co-operatives as its
members. This will not only help in getting the producers
remunerative price for milk and other products but is also expected
to ease the pressure on milk supply in the State.
In order to prevent further deterioration and revitalize the administration
of the State Co-operative Bank, swift action was called for. The
Board was, therefore, superseded and a new Administrator was
appointed to look after the affairs of the Bank, after due amendment
of the Manipur Co-operative Societies Act, 1976 through an
Ordinance.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
The Community Development Programme covers all the blocks in the
State. This programme includes schemes in communication,
agriculture, animal husbandry, small industries, arts and culture
etc. And a total of Rs. 12.60 lakhs will be spent on this programme
this year.
Special poverty alleviation and employment generation programmes
like IRDP, NREP, and RLEGP have been vigorously pursued and have
resulted in widespread benefits to a large section of the rural
poor. Altogether about 11,700 families will be provided assistance
under the IRDP and about 5.5 lakhs mandays of employment is also
expected to be generated under the employment generation programmes
by the end of this year.
TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT
My Government has taken up special programmes in the spheres of
education, communication, agriculture, animal husbandry, small
industries, arts and culture, and related areas for speedy
development of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes. A total of Rs. 3.85
crores is being spent this year under the State Plan, Special
Central Assistance and Centrally Sponsored Schemes for the welfare
of this section of population. Notable activities under this
programme include construction of 37 school buildings, 6 hostel
buildings and 4 community halls. About 140 Kms. of village roads are
also expected to be constructed. Construction of one multipurpose
hall-cum-indoor stadium is also underway at Churachandpur and is
expected to be completed shortly. Other programmes in this category
include providing financial assistance to poor patients for
treatment, provision of scholarships to different categories of
students and extension of grant-in-aid to various social and
cultural organizations of tribal youth.
VETERINARY & ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
The Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department has been playing a
vital role in the field of animal health coverage, livestock
development and dairying etc. With the opening of 6 new Veterinary
Dispensaries and 2 Veterinary Aid Centres, animal health coverage in
the State has been further strengthened. Over 5 lakh cases had been
treated up to December 1984 and an even larger number of animals
immunized against contagious diseases. Three new Sub-Centres under
the Intensified Cattle Development Project have been opened to
strengthen the massive crossbreeding programme in the State. Dairy
Development programme has been intensified and 2 Rural Dairy Centres
at Moirang and Kangpokpi will be fully operational by the end of the
current year. Poultry and Piggery development programme have been
vigorously pursued. A large number of piggery and poultry units have
been established under the Special Livestock Production Programme.
FISHERIES
The State has tremendous potential in inland fisheries. My
Government has given due attention to this area of activity through
various promotional schemes as well as by directly intervening in
the development and maintenance of fisheries. Sixteen million of
fish seeds have already been produced and this figure is expected to
go up to 20 million by the end of the year. These seeds are
distributed to the fish farmers on credit basis under the Fish Seed
Bank Scheme. Financial assistance was given to a large number of
farmers for promotion of pisciculture. Newsletters and bulletins
were published for popularizing the fishery schemes amongst the
people under extension programme.
A total of 3,700 tonnes of table fish had been produced by the end
of December 1984 and the current year’s target of 5,000 tonnes is
expected to be met fully. As in the past, a fish fair was organized
at Bir Tikendrajit Park in connection with Ningol Chakkouba festival
and a record 20,000 Kgs. of fish was made available to the public at
controlled rates on this occasion.
The steady deterioration in the condition of some of our lakes has
been a cause of anxiety in all quarters. The government is fully
alive to this problem and every effort is being made to improve
their conditions and prolong the life.
PUBLIC HEALTH ENGINEERING
My Government is greatly concerned about the supply of potable
water to the people in the rural as well as urban areas. However, in
spite of our best efforts, the situation continues to remain a
little difficult in Imphal town due to depletion of available
sources and a steady rise in the population. Against the demand of
12 million gallons the installed capacity is only 7.2. MGD. The
expected supply of 4 MGD from Singda Dam
reservoir has not materialized so far which has further worsened the
situation. However, a scheme for augmentation of Canchipur and
Porompat has been taken up which is expected to raise the
availability of water by 2.5 MGD. All the other District
Headquarters in the State have satisfactory water supply. As many as
105 villages had been extended water supply schemes till December
1984 and 55 villages more are expected to be covered in the
remaining 3 months which will leave only 400 problem villages for
coverage during the Seventh Plan. Efforts to explore ground water
resources have also been intensified and a large number of tube
wells were bored this year which are capable of supplying water
ranging from 700 to 5000 gallons per hour.
The programme of sanitation has been followed up earnestly. 15
villages are expected to be covered with rural sanitation schemes
this year. In addition, demonstrations of water sealed latrines were
carried out at a large number of places which were very popular with
the public. A sewerage system in Imphal town will be taken up in the
Seventh plan.
POWER
The power position in Manipur has improved remarkably with the
commissioning of the Loktak Hydro Electric Project in August, 1984.
Imphal, the main load censer of Manipur is now fully supplied with
grid power and the drawal of power from grid has reached 20.8 MW in
December 1984. Emphasis has been given to utilize the grid power to
the maximum extent and to curtail the uneconomical generation of
power from diesel sets. Towards this end, the capacity of the main
receiving station at Yurembam is being augmented from 25 MVA to 40
MVA. The 132/33 KV station at Jiribam with a capacity of 6.3 MVA is
under construction. The Loktak Jiribam 132 KV line has been
completed and charged since November 1984. A large number of 33/11
KV Sub-Stations have been erected. However, some of the interior
areas which cannot be connected to the grid for reasons of economy
will continue to be fed with diesel power. As such, as new 200KW
diesel powerhouse was opened at Khoupum. Rural electrification
programme has made steady progress and about 60 villages are
expected to be electrified this year.
In order to exploit the abundant hydroelectric potential in the hill
areas of the State, 6 micro hydel projects are currently under
construction. Nungshangkhong Project, with an installed capacity of
1.5 MW, is expected to be commissioned very soon and Lokchao Project
in 1985-86. Investigation in respect of 15 other micro and 2 major
hydel projects has also been commenced.
ROADS AND BRIDGES
In spite of various constraints like shortage of materials,
escalation of cost, inclement weather conditions etc., significant
progress had been made in the field of road construction. An
additional length of 86 Kms. is being added to achieve a total
length of 3,645 Kms. By the end of this year efforts have been made
to provide surfacing to unsurfaced sections of State Highways, major
district roads and other district roads. Hence no additional length
is being added to these 3 categories of roads. The riding quality of
a large number of roads in Imphal town has also been improved. In
addition, 4 permanent bridges and 100 culverts are scheduled for
completion this year.
Under the Minimum Need Programme, 92 villages with population of
1,500 and above and 88 villages with population between 1,000 and
1,500 are expected to be connected by all weather roads during this
year.
BUILDINGS
A large number of residential and office buildings have been
constructed. The most notable achievement was the State Banquet
Hall, which was constructed, in record time. Other prominent
buildings include the Election Office, P.W.D. Block-A, Nurses
Training Hostel phase-II, the New Secretariat building phase-II,
District and Sessions Judges’ Court at Lamphelpat, the Circuit
House at Ukhrul, a large number of School and Health Centre
buildings and a host of residential quarters. The Mini-Secretariat
buildings at Chandel, Senapati and Ukhrul are expected to be
completed shortly.
INDUSTRIES
Honourable Members are aware of the industrial backwardness of the
State which is on account of geographical location and weak
infrastructural facilities. However, the State is richly endowed
with raw materials and human resources. Efforts are now afoot to
exploit these to the fullest extent.
The Government of India has approved opening of 2 new District
Industries Centres at Bishnupur and Thoubal this year and with this,
all the Districts in the State now have the services of District
Industries Centres. Appreciating the need for generating
self-employment, these DICs would assist 1,000 educated unemployed
youths in providing self-employment both in industrial and service
sector.
The Electronics Industry has made steady progress. About 2,500
Transistor sets and 650 TV sets are expected to be assembled by the
end of the year. Mechanised Dye House Project will be commissioned
next year for the benefit of handloom weavers of Manipur.
The commissioning of the Loktak Hydel Project has brightened the
prospects of industrial development and the Government is presently
considering a large number of projects. These include a bamboo
chipping plant, starch and glucose factory, and assembly unit for
colour T.V. sets for which license has already been obtained, a
printed circuit board plant and voltage stabilizer unit. The
Government is also exploring the possibilities of setting up plants
for assembly of cycles and telephone instruments.
The small industrial units were given every encouragement and their
number has risen from 2,593 in 1982-83 to 3,300 this year. The
handloom cloth production has registered an increase from 8.77
million metres in 1983-84 to 12 million metres this year. Financial
assistance was extended to a large number of small units both in the
form of subsidy as well as loans.
MEDICAL AND HEALTH
Primary Health Centres were opened at Sawombung and Maram under the
Minimum Needs Programme and 63 Sub-Centres at various other places,
which have resulted in vast improvement in the health care
facilities in the State. Rural Hospital at Parbung is also likely to
be completed within this year.
The 50-bedded ward unit at Chingmeirong T.B. Hospital has been
inaugurated and a T.B. Control Centre at Chandel is also scheduled
to be opened very shortly. The hospital at Churachandpur has been
expanded to accommodate 100 beds.
Several measures were taken for control of communicable disease like
T.B., Blindness, Leprosy etc. The department also organized several
mass media programmes to create awareness amongst the people. Mass
immunization programmes against Typhoid, Cholera etc. were also
taken up on a large scale
FAMILY WELFARE
The family welfare programme has been pursued vigorously keeping in
view the national goal of achieving unitary rate of net reproduction
by the year 2000 AD. The programme which was initially met with a
little resistance by the people, has been slowly gaining acceptance
and a large number of people, has been coming forward voluntarily to
adopt family welfare measures. This has helped the State achieve
more than 60% of its target by the end of December 1984. The service
facilities were improved and modernized and a large number of camps
were organized at various places as a part of this programme.
With a view to popularizing the programme and removing misgivings of
the people about birth control measures, mass education and media
activities were intensified. About 170 village level
orientation-training camps with accent on family welfare and
maternity and child health services were organized. Intensive
publicity through advertisements, booklets, leaflets and slogan
posters etc. was done in far-flung areas.
EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE AND ARTS & CULTURE
Honourable Members would recall that my Government has set up an
Education Commission to look into the shortcomings of the present
system of education and to recommend suitable measures for its
improvement. The Commission has already held a series of meetings,
and is expected to submit its recommendations shortly.
A 10+2 system of education, with accent on vocational training at the
plus two stage, and Three Years’ Degree Course are shortly going
to be introduced in the State. A proposal to hold competitive
examinations at class V and VIII levels for award of scholarships to
meritorious students is presently under the consideration of the Government.
A number of steps have been taken for expansion of educational
facilities and for improvement of the quality of education. These
include appointment of 64 lecturers and a large number of teachers
for schools, construction of 221 school buildings and renovation
work of many colleges. In addition, 3,376 classrooms for elementary
schools are also expected to be constructed by the end of the year.
Special programme for improvement of standard of teaching of science
and mathematics in the schools were also taken up. Manipur
University has seen a lot of expansion this year. Other schools and
colleges in the State were also given financial assistance. Free
learning materials were provided to 50,000 children belonging to
weaker sections of the society.
The State Institute of Education has been divided into 4 units
namely, Teacher Education and Extension Services Unit, Curriculum
and Evaluation Unit, Language and Humanities Unit and Educational
Survey and Statistics Unit. A State Board of Teacher Education has
also been formed which will work for improvement of teacher
education.
Adult Education Programme has been pursued vigorously. Altogether
238 learning centres enrolling over 6,000 persons were opened under
the State Adult Education Project. Similarly, another 30,000 persons
have been covered under the Rural Functional Literacy and Voluntary
Agencies’ Projects.
The Government has taken up a number of social welfare programmes.
These include special nutrition programme for children in the age
group 0-6 years and expectant mothers, integrated child development
services, old age pension scheme, welfare of handicapped and
correctional services. Recreational facilities for children were
also provided at a large number of places.
The State has tremendous wealth in arts and culture. With a view to
promoting this activity, generous financial assistance was given to
a large number of organizations engaged in the fields of dance,
music, drama, library, museum, theatre and literature etc. The
Government has also encouraged exchange of cultural troupes at the
national level, which will not only serve to enrich our own culture
but will go a long way in promoting national integration.
SPORTS AND YOUTH WELFARE
My Government has attributed a high priority to youth welfare and
sports activities. This being the International Year of the Youth,
special emphasis was given to the programmes of this section of the
society. A weeklong programme involving symposia, essay competition,
youth rally against drug abuse and social evils, shram-dan etc. was
organized in the month of January to launch the International Youth
Year. Financial assistance was given to a large number of youth
organizations for organizing social service camps. Some youth camps
were organized directly through the Sports Directorate.
Sports infrastructure in the state was improved significantly.
Preliminary work on the sports complex at Khuman Lampak has already
been done. The construction of mini-stadia at four district
headquarters is also in good progress. Honourable Members would be
happy to learn that, as a result of the sustained efforts made by us
in the past, the Government of India have approved the construction
of a Sports Centre of NIS Patiala in Imphal in the Seventh Plan.
During the year a large number of sports meets were organized at
various levels involving school going students, rural youths and
women. Financial assistance was given to our sportsmen for
participation in various competitions at the national level where
our boys and girls have won a large number of medals and trophies.
TOURISM & PUBLICITY
A number of steps have been taken for development of tourism in the
State. With the extension of the Tourist Lodge, the accommodation
there has been nearly doubled. Action for construction of Tourist
Homes at Shiroi, Khongjom, Churachandpur and Jiribam has also been
taken. A youth hostel in collaboration with the Government of India
is also to be constructed very shortly. Loktak Lake is our main
tourist attraction and efforts are being made for providing water
sports facilities there to enhance its tourism value. The I.N.A.
memorial at Moirang has been taken over by the Government with a
view to improving its condition. The work is in progress.
Directorate of Information and Public Relations has the crucial role
of disseminating information relating to Government activities to
the public correctly and regularly. This is being done through
publication of various periodicals, press releases and audio-visual
medium. In order to project the image of the Government at the
national level, a large number of documentary newsreels were
telecast through Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi. Information Centres
were opened at Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati to cater to the
needs of the reading public.
LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT
Various programmes for development of Imphal and neighbouring towns
have been taken up. As a part of integrated development of small and
medium towns, several works are going on in Kakching and Jiribam.
The Planning and Development Authority, under the Local
Self-Government, is constructing commercial-cum-residential complex
at Lamphelpat with loan obtained from the Housing & Urban
Development Corporation. Steps for construction of a super market at
Chingamacha have been initiated. Housing colonies are being taken up
at various places of the State through Planning and Development
Authority. In addition, a master plan for drainage system in Greater
Imphal area is being prepared. Construction of drainage and
environmental improvement programme has also been taken up in some
tribal inhabited villages of Imphal Town.
FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLY
With a view to strengthening the public distribution network, a
large number of fair price shops were opened and the State had
already exceeded the target of this year under the 20-Point
Programme by December, raising the total number of fair price shops
and the agents in the State to over 1350. Over 21,000 MTs of rice
and 4700 MTs of sugar were procured and sold to the public in the
first three quarters. Besides, large quantity of edible oils,
cement, GCI sheets etc. were also marketed through Government
nominated stockists. In order to increase the storage capacity in
the hill districts, 5-grain godowns are presently under
construction. Trucks have been procured for the first time for
transportation of essential commodities to the interior areas.
What I have narrated is only a brief outline of the multifarious
activities of the Government but is indicative of the rapid strides
that we have made in a variety of fields. Our thrust has been on
accelerating the pace of development in some key sectors so that the
State may catch up with the rest of the country. The peaceful and
stable conditions that have prevailed over the year have aided us in
our efforts. The overwhelming support that we have received from the
people for the policies and programmes of my Government has been as
much a matter of pride and elation as a catalyst for galvanizing us
into action and proving worthy of the confidence reposed by the
people in us. I am confident that we shall succeed in our endeavour
to provide a clean and an efficient Government to the people with
the wholehearted co-operation of the Honourable Members.
I extend my best wishes to all of you in your deliberations.
JAI HIND
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