Newmai News Network Imphal | July 16 Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said the government has sanctioned Rs. 10 crore to the corpus fund of the Manipur State Journalists Welfare Scheme. He revealed this at the 35th Journalist Award Ceremony organised by The Kangleipakki Meira, an evening daily newspaper, at Eclipse Community Hall, Konjeng Leikai in Imphal today. The Chief Minister said that the need of the hour is to work collectively and to share our knowledge towards development of the State. He said that people are free to give suggestion, talk openly and criticise the government’s policies and programmes, but should not give false allegation or backbite the government. After the Assembly session, the government would give its priority to infrastructure development, drinking water and cleaning of river beds, he added. Citing that certain measures have been taken up by the government to maintain transparency in administration, the Chief Minister mentioned that there should be a system of check and balance in the government. Highlighting that the new government has introduced a new ‘system’ that could hear the problems and grievances of the people, the Chief Minister said that the purpose of organising People's Day or ‘Meeyamgi Numit’ and Hill Leaders’ Day is to identify the wishes and aspirations of the common people who are at the grassroots level, to hear their grievances so that government could know the living standard of the people in our society. The Chief Minister conferred various awards to five journalists for their immense contribution in the field of journalism. In the print media section, the best male journalist award was conferred to Th. Premchand of Poknapham, best female journalist award to Baby Serin of Ichel Express. The best journalist electronic media was given to N. Sanajaoba of ISTV, best appreciated DIPR personnel was awarded to P. Romesh Singh and best hawker to Chirom Biren. On the occasion, six veteran journalists were also conferred special mentioned awards. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for IPR and PWD Th. Biswajit Singh said that the objective of the media is not only to provide news but also to provide information, to communicate and to impart education to the people of the State. He mentioned that people have the perception that whatever is published in the media is true. Therefore, he appealed to the media persons to publish concrete truth and also bridge the gap between the people and the State. He further appealed the media houses to write and discuss the importance of the newly introduced welfare schemes so that the needy and poor people could be benefited from those schemes.