Imphal East district administration on Monday celebrated 25 years of the creation of the district at DC office Porompat complex. The district came into being from June 16, 1997 after bifurcation of the erstwhile Imphal district. Since then, the district administration has been functioning with 3 Sub-Divisions, SDC circles and 2 CD Blocks under its jurisdiction.
During the celebration, chief minister Biren laid the foundation stone for construction of the New Mini-Secretariat complex of Imphal East DC at Porompat. A book ‘Lourungshang Da Nongma’ (an informative comic book on land related issues) was also released during the silver jubilee celebration.
Speaking on the occasion, Biren said that the pathetic condition of roads during the rainy season is due to blockage of drains due to encroachment and construction above drain at many areas by irresponsible sections of people. Therefore, the CM urged concerned officials to take up actions against those encroachers, adding that the state government had already taken up a mass drive for eviction of illegal encroachers at reserve forest areas and riversides for the larger interest of the people and younger generations.
Stating that Manipur being a landlocked state, there is a need to preserve agricultural land and focus on increasing food production to become self-reliant, the CM said.
The state government has decided to widen roads in urban areas and the same thing should be done in rural areas, the CM said and called on all concerned officials to start widening roads. Compensation for the same will be given, Biren said.
Regarding construction of New Mini-Secretariat of Imphal East, CM suggested hiring another capable company that will be able to complete within 18 months instead of 20 months.
Biren said that once upon a time the Imphal East District was considered as a underdeveloped district with little infrastructure. However, with the committed efforts of former deputy commissioners and other officials, the district has witnessed various infrastructure developments in the last 25 years, becoming one of the important districts, he said.
Citing the efforts of parents and guardians for their children’s wellbeing as an example, he stated that the government and its officials, as guardians of the public, should take up every possible effort to ensure the welfare of the people and development of the state at large.
A government official should not take any steps which would create controversies among people and different communities. Instead, officials should work systematically to create a society where different communities live together happily, he added.
Expressing his appreciation on the publication of “Lourungshang da Nongma”, an informative comic book on land related issues, Biren stressed the need for regular evaluation on how effectively services are provided to the public.
Such a step would enable us to know the actual coverage of various welfare schemes of the government across the state, he added. He opined that our society would progress towards development only when government officials perform their duties sincerely and honestly.
“Government is not against people and whatever it is doing is for the welfare of people and for future generations. In past years, many things were done improperly and now we are facing obstacles to make it systematic”, said Biren.
Biren also warned against conducting media discussion or debate vindictively, including the concerned authorities on any discussion of the state issue.
Regarding the oil palm issue, CM said that some news in local newspapers have caused panic with regards to oil palm cultivation. The state government will not, however, take up cultivation without any recommendation from the experts and that is why a national workshop was conducted, he added.
Biren said that the state government is constructing an ethnic park at Keibul Lamjao to host the Sangai Festival 2022 as the main venue. Huts representing different tribal groups of the state will be set up at the Ethnic Park. Therefore, he further appealed for public support on development works carried out by the government.
During the programme, a short documentary on the journey of Imphal East District was also presented. First DC of the Imphal East H Imocha (retired IAS) shared his experience as first DC of the Imphal East.
The silver jubilee celebration was attended by Agriculture minister Thongam Biswajit, CAF & PD minister L Susindro Meitei, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, Keirao MLA L Rameshwor Meetei, Wangkhei MLA Thangjam Arunkumar, Lamlai MLA Khongbantabam Ibomcha Singh, Kshetrigao MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan, DGP P Doungel, senior civil and police officials, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police, Imphal East, former deputy commissioners of the district and other officials.
