CM releases Rs 1.23 Cr for four projects

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 25 : Chief Minister N Biren Singh today released Rs 1.23 crore to about 495 beneficiaries under four projects taken up by the Department of Sericulture at a function held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
A Manipuri translation of a book titled “Handbook for Farmers” on how to rear different varieties of silk worms was also released at the function.
Out of around 495 beneficiaries who would be covered by the first instalment of four projects viz; Integrated Oak Tasar Project in Chandel, Tamenglong, Noney and Churachandpur districts, Eri Project in Senapati and Jiribam districts, Intensive Bi-voltine Project in Ukhrul, Kamjong and Tamenglong districts and Women Empowerment through Sericulture in Kakching, Chandel and Imphal East districts, dummy cheques were distributed to six.
A beneficiary would get Rs 25,308 under Intensive Bi-voltine Project, Rs 25,308 under Women Empowerment through Sericulture Project, Rs 11,520 under Integrated Oak Tasar Project and Rs 11,520 under Eri Project.
Moreover, a sum of Rs 29,65,000 was also transferred to 300 beneficiaries of Financial Assistance for Education of Children under a scheme taken up by the Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
Out of the 300 beneficiaries, dummy cheques of Rs 13,000 were distributed to six at the function.
One beneficiary was given Rs 10,000 in cash.
Speaking at the function, N Biren said that the Central Government has been extending unwavering support for the welfare of the State.
For the people affected by the crisis, the Centre sanctioned around Rs 145 crore and another Rs 124 crore for running relief camps and construction of prefabricated houses respectively.
A one-time financial assistance of Rs 1000 each for the fourth phase amounting to around Rs 23 crore has also been released, Biren said.
TV sets have been provided to most of the relief camps. For this, a sum of around Rs 3 crore has been already sanctioned, he said.
For those farmers who could not cultivate paddy due to the crisis, a compensatory package of Rs 19 crore has been  released and Rs 44 crore for children’s nutrition and personal hygiene.
Out of Rs one lakh each which would be given to all families affected by the crisis, the first instalment of Rs 25,000 each has been distributed to 6000 families, he said.
Construction of permanent houses has already started at Torbung and Serou, and around Rs 20 crore has been released for the construction of permanent houses of 736 families, the Chief Minister stated.
Asking which Government responded so swiftly as the present one by distributing tin sheets when hailstones wreaked havoc in different parts of the State, Biren said that 42,000 families were affected by the hailstones and tin sheets of 30 mm worth Rs 45 crore were distributed to the affected families.
Moreover, Rs 80 crore has been released as relief assistance for people affected by the recent floods, he said.
School fees of students staying in relief camps are being borne by the Government. Teams of doctors have been visiting the relief camps twice a week and necessary medicines are provided.
In case the medicines are costly, the same are provided under CMHT, Biren said.
Yet, relief camps can never be compared with homes.
“Efforts to gain popularity and take credits only create confusion among ourselves. Instead, we need to unite and work together”, Biren said.  
“We must collectively against only those outsiders and insiders who have been waging a war to destroy Manipur. All the 34/35 recognised tribes are our brothers and we have been living together”, he added.  
By seeing what is happening in Bangladesh, Myanmar and also in India, people would have understood how the crisis started, he continued.
The collective fight is for the sake of future generations, not for any personal interest, he said.
“Let us work together to revive that Manipur which hosted Femina Miss India, international football tournaments, where tourists came in large numbers and investors were enthusiastic to make investments”, Biren said.
The Government has been paying special attention to the people staying in relief camps. The Government would give trainings of different kinds to the jobless people, both in rural and urban areas, so that they can earn their livelihood, he said.
Claiming that peace is slowly returning in Manipur, the Chief Minister appealed to all to work together for peace.
He also appealed to all concerned to shun violence.
The function presided by Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo was also attended by Commerce & Industries Minister Th Biswajit, Health Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, Education Minister Th Basantakumar, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Minister Khashim Vashum and many MLAs.