Newmai News Network Imphal | May 10 Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s initiative for the public to have easy access to the government functionaries including legislators kick-started today with the Chief Minister himself meeting leaders and activists from the hill districts at the CM’s official residence. Last month the Manipur Government had announced that on the 10th day of every month “hill representatives will be allowed to meet” the Chief Minister from 10 am to 4 pm. If the day is a holiday then the programme will be held on the next working day. Biren attended to the grievances of around 500 people representing around 50 different civil society organisations and villages from 8 am to 1 pm today, according to the Chief Minister's Secretariat. Biren took the decision of exclusively earmarking a day for hill people in view of the inconveniences faced by them in approaching the Chief Minister to directly highlight their woes. Maintaining that no community is small or big, the CM contended that every ethnic community of the State should live with dignity and pride, and there is the State Government to help them. Biren further informed that a file copy of all the written representations submitted by different civil society organisation leaders and village chiefs would be maintained in his office so that he may contact the officials concerned anytime for follow-up action. He appealed to his Council of Ministers and MLAs to resolve people’s woes by consulting them in a transparent manner. Urging the elected leaders and Government officials to listen to people’s complaints on ‘Meeyamgi Numit’ (15th day of every month), Biren also urged them to publicise the schedule and venue of holding the day on the media one day in advance. He further said that elaborate arrangements would be made in his official residence as well to organise the day on May 15. On the day, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers, the Chief Secretary, the DGP, administrative secretaries, the Heads of Departments, the Deputy Commissioners, the SPs and the SDOs/BDOs will meet the general public in their respective offices from 10 am to 4 pm to place their grievances or issues. Ever since he took over the helm of affairs, Biren has been introducing measures to give a strong message to the people that his government is a people's government. Biren's "Go Hills" slogan has also been attracting the hill peoples. The Chief Minister has been expressing his concern on the wide divide between the hills and valley driven by a myriad of issues.
