Newmai News Network
Imphal | February 28
On the fourth day of the ongoing Seventh Session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Monday, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh informed the House that steps are being taken up to implement Manipur Tourism Policy for promotion and development of tourism in the State.
Replying to a starred question and supplementary raised by Opposition member Okram Henry Singh during the question hour, the Chief Minister said that various steps for the promotion of Tourism in the State are being taken up which includes promotion of Manipur Tourism through State and other local festivals, and showcasing our products to stakeholders at domestic and international events. "Steps are also taken up for the promotion and publicity in metro cities to educate potential visitors about our destinations," Biren said. Infrastructure development projects funded by Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of DoNER and NEC through State Plan are also under process, he also said. To encourage visitors into the state, various steps towards improving connectivity are also being taken up, the Chief Minister further stated. Helicopter services are also introduced besides increasing the flight frequency, he added. Biren then said road connectivity has also considerably improved by connecting the interior tourist spots and destinations in the state.
Expressing satisfaction over the increasing number of domestic and international tourists in the State during the past few years, the Chief Minister said that to increase awareness of the tourist destinations and to develop the required infrastructures, works are in progress under Swadesh Darshan and North East Tourist Circuit. The Chief Minister then said that the Government is committed to conserve the natural beauty of Loktak Lake and also to attract tourists. He also said that Loktak Heritage Park will be developed to facilitate visitors to experience the natural and scenic beauty of the Lake. To raise awareness on the importance of Shirui Lily, Government is planning to upgrade Sirui Lily Festival to National and International Level if possible in the future, he mention. Highlighting the upgradation of local festivals like Barak Festival in State level, Biren said that organising such festivals can also attract a large number of tourists from within and outside the State.
Regarding the budgetary allocation of tourism development, N. Biren Singh said that a total of Rs. 4171.14 lakh has been allocated in the Revised Estimate of 2018-19, out of which Rs. 3703.14 lakh has been earmarked for development of tourism infrastructure, organising state festivals and promotion of tourism in the State.
Replying to a query raised by Opposition member K. Ranjit Singh, the Chief Minister informed the House that 238 complaints related to the missing/tampering of parcels in General Post Office have been received as of now. "Of the complaints, 20 cases have been cancelled due to lack of proper evidences. One FIR has been lodged regarding a complaint filed by Medical Superintendent of Advance Hospital, Imphal. Investigation are taken up but cannot be completed as the employees involved in the case are from outside the State. The State Government authorities are collaborating with officials of GPO to prevent such unwanted incidents in future", Biren added.
Meanwhile, MAHUD Minister Th. Shyamkumar Singh stated that Imphal was selected under the fast track round of Smart City challenge process. Replying to a question raised by Surjakumar Okram, MLA, the minister said the project was sanctioned on May 25, 2016 and the first Instalment of Rs 107 crore has been released on April 20, 2017. Under the project, Rs. 25 crore has also been released as State share (funding pattern of the project is 50:50). Social Welfare Minister Nemcha Kipgen while replying to a question raised by Dr. S. Ranjan Singh, MLA, said that the construction of Anganwadi Centres of 6th Phase has not been finalised and construction work is yet to start. She said that there will be a Committee for site selection which will be headed by the local MLA assisted by the Deputy Commissioner as Member Secretary, SDO concerned, DPO, CDPO and EE/DRDA. The Committee will first try to co-locate the Anganwadi Centres inside the premises of the government school, she said. She further said that 1000 Anganwadi Centres will be constructed throughout the State with a Central Assistance of Rs. 20.25 crore. Each Anganwadi Centre will cost Rs. 4.5 lakh, she added.
CAF & PD Minister Karam Shyam informed the House that Welfare Institutions and Hostels Scheme (WIHS) has been launched in the State. While replying to a query raised by Opposition member, Okram Henry Singh, MLA, the Minister said that 857.93 MT per month of rice was allocated to Manipur for the first half of the current fiscal (April to September 2018). He said, the quota of rice for the second instalment will be allocated soon. Hostels which have a ratio of 2:3 students belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes are entitled to avail the benefit of this scheme. Besides this, Nari Niketans, NGOs and Organisations are also covered under this Scheme. Areas which are not covered by targeted Public Distribution System (PDS) are also covered under this Scheme. The Minister also clarified that this Scheme is not particularly targeted to all the Assembly Constituencies in the State.
