Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh Monday said that though the number of positive cases has significantly come down, the COVId-19 pandemic is not yet over in the state, and people should still be careful and follow the SOP.
He was speaking at the inauguration of sports gallery at Lilong Arapti in Imphal East district in the presence of State Planning Board deputy chairman and Keirao assembly constituency MLA L Rameshwor Meetei among others.
As vaccination is the only means to keep the virus at bay, people who have not been vaccinated yet should get their jab at the earliest, he said and added that there is still need to speed up vaccination rate in hill districts.
Informing that more than 106 crore doses have been administered in the country so far, he expressed that the nation should appreciate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making the milestone possible and leading the country in its fight against the pandemic.
In Manipur as well, the chief minister said, all the ministers, MLAs and officials joined hands in fighting the virus as a team. He also thanked the public for extending co-operation to the government in tackling the pandemic.
He said that elected leaders should serve every individual, group and community without any discrimination; so, that there is no unfairness in providing opportunity and disparity in delivering development.
He further observed that the government is for the people, and it should always try its level best to translate their aspirations and wishes into action. Mentioning that formation of Urup Arapti Gram Panchayat is a long standing demand of the people of the area, he announced that the state government would fulfil it at the earliest after discussing it in the state cabinet.
In his speech, N Biren Singh also stressed the need for the protection of agricultural lands and playgrounds. He said that the state would never be able to make itself self-sufficient in food production if there is no agricultural land.
N Biren Singh further observed that almost all the players, who have brought laurels to the state and the country, grew up playing at local playgrounds. Therefore, these playgrounds play a significant part in producing champion players, he added.