Hill People's Day held in Imphal

Newmai News Network Imphal | June 10   Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s call for bringing the grievances of hill people to his notice on the 10th day of every month has been received well so far by the people.   On the second Hill People’s Day organised at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat complex today, around 800 people including village chiefs and civil society leaders representing around 260 different organisations and village authorities from all the hill districts of the State turned up to meet the Chief Minister, according to the CM’s Secretariat.   Biren personally interacted with the huge number of people, including many from far-flung and border areas, for more than five hours without any break inside the CM’s Secretariat complex from 8:45 am to 2:30 pm, it added.   People gathered at the gate since early morning to get inside the complex today as well.   The Chief Minister said that village chiefs and leaders of the various organisations mainly put up issues concerning bad road condition, drinking water problem, absence of playgrounds and community halls etc.   Biren said that he has been able to discover many unnoticed issues and matters on Hill People’s Day and Meeyamgi Numit.   He stated that with the coming of BJP-led coalition Government in the State, people have now started showing confidence to the State administration.   Even people from far-flung and interior areas like Tousem, Nambashi and Jessami etc. came to meet him today, he added.   The Chief Minister further said that many people, who had been affected by the recent flash flood, had also brought their grievances to his notice.   Stating that necessary follow-up actions are regularly effected by his office regarding the issues recorded on Hill People’s Day and Meeyamgi Numit, the Chief Minister said that appropriate steps are under process for around 60 per cent of the issues/complaints.   Conveying that the proposal for a topographical-based budget had been accepted by the Central Government, the Chief Minister said that most of the problems faced by the people of hill districts can now be sorted out through recently announced Hill Area Development Programme, which would initially cover Chandel, Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts of the State.   Regarding the helplessness faced by eligible and capable youths belonging to poor families, Biren said that the Government would consider giving preference to them in Government jobs.   The Chief Minister further said that a detailed project report amounting Rs 600 crore for revamping inter-village roads and approach roads had been sent to the Centre.