The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, addressed a public meeting in Imphal on Dec 03, 2011. Following is the text of the
Prime Minister’s speech:
“It
is both a pleasure and a privilege for me to have this opportunity to visit Manipur
once again. Manipur and the other North Eastern States have a special place
in my heart and I consider myself fortunate that I have always received great
love and affection from the people here.
I
have always held that Manipur is a State with a lot of potential and promise.
It is a State of breathtaking natural beauty, a very rich cultural heritage,
and a long and glorious tradition of peace and harmony amongst the many
communities that live here. The rivers and valleys of Manipur, its flora and
fauna and its songs and dances make it a tourist's delight.
It
is no surprise that the brave people of Manipur excel in sports. Despite
being smaller than many other States, in both area and population, Manipur
was the top performer among States in the National Games this year. I
congratulate the sportspersons of the State for this wonderful achievement.
It
has been the endeavor of our UPA government at the Centre, under the guidance
of Smt Sonia Gandhi, to make every possible effort
for the rapid progress of Manipur and the other North Eastern States. We want
that the people of the State get opportunities for their talents and
abilities to flourish. Over the last five years we have worked very closely
with the Congress government of Manipur to make this happen. The devolution
under the 13th Finance Commission from the Centre to the State for the period
2010-2015 is expected to be about Rs. 13,600 crore, which is more than double
the amount given in the period 2005-2010. Manipur's Plan outlay for the
current year is Rs. 3210 crore which is more than three times the Plan outlay
in the year 2005-06.
In
his speech the honourable Chief Minister Ibobi Singh ji has referred to
the need for a special package of 6000 crore rupees for Manipur. I can assure
him that in the 12th Five Year Plan that is now under formulation the special
needs and concerns of Manipur will be duly taken care of. Peace and
tranquility is a must to prosper and concentrate on the development of the
state. I therefore welcome all efforts to promote the cause of peace and
tranquility among all the communities who have lived and lived for centuries
in harmony in this beautiful state.
Shri Ibobi Singh ji talked of some
talk in some quarters about a supra national authority. I can assure you that
there is no such proposal under consideration of the central government. And
the central government is committed to the territorial integrity of Manipur
as a very important part of the Union.
I
am very happy that many of the projects that were announced during my visits
to Manipur in 2004 and 2006 have been completed. Earlier today, Sonia ji and I inaugurated the New Assembly Secretariat Complex
and the High Court Complex. These are parts of the State Capital Project
whose foundation stone I had laid in 2004. Work on the third component of the
Project, the New Secretariat Complex has also commenced and is likely to be
completed by March 2014.
We
have also inaugurated the Auditorium of the Manipur Film Development
Corporation (MFDC) today. We hope that this auditorium will contribute to
further promoting the Manipuri Film Industry, which has seen many of its
directors and other film personalities winning national and international
awards in recent years.
We
recognize that the creation of good infrastructure is critical for Manipur's
economic development. We have therefore made sincere efforts in this
direction. The Imphal airport has now been provided
with night landing facilities. The State government has made available 640
acres of land and the Airports Authority of India has drawn up a plan for
upgrading the infrastructure to international standards. Work on the 125 km
railway line from Jiribam to Imphal
via Tupul is under progress and is likely to be
completed by March 2016, with the Jiribum-Tupul
portion getting constructed by March 2014. Double laning
of the Maram-Peren road is likely to be completed
by March 2012. Works on NH-53 are also going on and are expected to finish by
December 2013. Construction of the old Cachar road
has been approved in principle. The State government has requested for
Central assistance to improve road connectivity in hill areas. I urge the
State government to prepare detailed proposals in this regard so that they
may be suitably considered.
The
project for augmentation of water supply for Imphal
city with raw water from Thoubal dam is being
actively considered for funding from the Japan International Cooperation
Agency.
I
am happy to announce that an oil depot at Malom
will be taken up for construction. Till the work of railway line up to Imphal is completed, it will work as a road-fed depot. I
am also happy to announce that the capacity of the LPG bottling plant at Sekmai will be doubled from 600 MT to 1200 MT. This will
help in maintaining a regular supply of petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG to
the people of Manipur.
In
the power sector, I have been informed that the 1500 MW Tipaimukh
Hydro Electric Project will be executed by a joint venture company of
National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, Satlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited and
the Government of Manipur. Environmental clearance for this project has been
granted and forest clearance is under process. I understand that a project
for expansion and up-gradation of power transmission, sub-transmission and
distribution networks in the North-Eastern States has been posed to the World
Bank for funding. I am asking the concerned Central government Ministries to
pursue the matter actively with the World Bank.
We
have taken up a number of projects to improve the educational facilities in
Manipur so that the development potential of the State can be fully realized
and its people can get more opportunities for productive employment. Sonia ji and I have just unveiled the foundation stone for the
building and campus of the new National Institute of Technology. The
Institute has already started functioning from the year 2010-11. In
recognition of the special needs of Manipur, we have decided to set up Kasturba Gandhi residential schools in all the 9
districts of the State, covering even those districts that do not meet the
normal eligibility conditions. Similarly, we have recently sanctioned two new
Navodaya Vidyalaya for Ukhrul and Senapati districts.
The proposal for upgradation of the Regional
Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) has been approved and work is likely to
begin in December 2011. The proposal for up-gradation of the Jawahar Lal Nehru Institute of
Medical Sciences is under consideration.
To
address the requirements of the minority community, the Ministry of Minority
Affairs has funded the ITI at Lilong in Thoubal District under the Multi-Sectoral
Development Programme (MSDP). With a total intake
capacity of 164 students we hope that it will provide a major boost to skill
up-gradation and vocational education in that area. I am asking the Ministry
of Minority Affairs to work with the State government for preparing a special
package for minority concentration areas which will cover education, health
and skill development.
During
my last visit, we had also announced the setting up of 50-bed hospitals in
four Hill Districts and at Jiribam. I am informed
that my colleague Shri. P. Chidambaram, the Union
Home Minister, inaugurated the 50-bed Hospital at Senapati
on 2nd November. I also understand that the construction of the other four
hospitals will be completed within the year 2013. These hospitals will
address a long felt need for better medical care in the tribal Hill Areas.
The
state government has requested for increased Central assistance to support
modernization of the State police. I am asking the Ministry of Home Affairs
to provide Rs. 50 crore annually for this purpose in the 12th Plan period.
The state government has also requested for introduction of an international
bus service between Imphal and Mandalay. As part of
our look east policy, we will suitably take up this request with the
Government of Myanmar.
The
enormous capabilities and talents of the people of Manipur need to be
encouraged and channelized into productive and creative pursuits. We need to
build an enabling environment so that the tremendous developmental potential
of the State is fully realized. All this can happen only when there is peace
and harmony in the State. While there may be varied view of points on many
issues facing Manipur, our democratic set-up gives ample space for all of
them to be heard and given due consideration. It is in this context that I
urge the people of Manipur to shun violence and let their demands be
articulated through Constitutional means. Though the State has been witness
to bouts of violent incidents in the past, I am happy to note that they have
declined considerably in the last few years. I am hopeful that we will
continue to move ahead with eliminating violence and strengthening the roots
of democracy, which are so very essential for unhindered economic growth of
the State.
Here
I would like to congratulate the State government for the bold step to hold
elections to the six tribal Autonomous District Councils. I urge the state
government to ensure adequate devolution of funds to these Councils and help
them build their capacity for execution of various development programmes. I would urge all of you to support the
elected District Councils and allow them to function from their respective
headquarters. This is a historic opportunity that should not be allowed to be
dissipated.
We
are aware that the recent road blockades by some groups caused immense
hardships to the common people of Manipur. While the Central government did
extend all possible support to the State government for meeting the crisis
and making essential commodities available to the people, the blockades were
painful for the people of the State and harmful to its economy. Though the
economic blockades have now ended, it is incumbent upon all of us to
deliberate about the efficacy of such acts. To my mind, there are no winners
in such disruptive activities, there are only losers. It is my hope that we
will not see a repeat of such actions in the future. Despite their diverse
cultural and ethnic backgrounds, the people of Manipur have lived peacefully
in the past and it should be our collective endeavour
to see that this legacy is carried forward.
It
is my hope that Manipur will emerge as one of the best States of the country.
Our government at the Centre, in partnership with the State government, will
do everything possible to make this happen. I would like to end by wishing
all of you and the State of Manipur all the very best for the future. May God
bless your path.”
***
SC/SK/LM
|