Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 28: New Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, currently on his first visit to the union capital after being sworn in as the head of the first-ever BJP led government in the State, today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed a wide range of issues related to several ongoing and delayed projects in the State.
The initial one-to-one meeting between the Chief Minister and the DoNER Minister was followed by a joint meeting in which officers from the State Government and the DoNER Ministry also participated. One of the important issues that came up during the discussion was setting up of Sports University near Imphal which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi nearly two years ago, but had got delayed on account of certain procedural and land acquisition issues on the part of the State Government. It was decided that with the cognizance of the Sports Ministry, the project will soon be put on fast-track.
Dr Jitendra Singh told the Chief Minister that the Ministry of DoNER, through its NLCPR (Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources) Fund, will donate Rs.48 crore for fitting flood flights for the Hockey Stadium in Khuman-Lampak Sports Complex.
The DoNER Ministry, Dr Jitendra Singh said, will also help the Government of Manipur in the construction of women’s markets in different districts of the State depending on the priority of the State Government. Another proposal was for supporting the setting up of a mini-Secretariat in different districts of Manipur, which can however be taken up later in due course.
The novel idea of starting an “Air-dispensary-cum-ambulance” helicopter service, which was mooted by Dr Jitendra Singh a few months ago, will be carried forward through North-Eastern Council. This will serve as a blessing for people living in remote peripheral areas with little accessibility to healthcare centres. The Air dispensary will have the provision of a Specialist doctor with necessary facilities holding OPD in different Panchayat areas and also transporting the sick patients to the required hospital by the same Chopper.
Dr Jitendra Singh also suggested to Biren Singh to hold a showcasing event in Delhi where the various rich attributes of Manipur, ranging from handicraft to theater heritage, could be exhibited for the information of the rest of the country.