In a bid to instill hope and address the challenges faced by the people of Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday announced a series of financial packages and welfare schemes which will be effective from the upcoming year 2024, during a significant event at the CM Secretariat in Imphal.
The chief minister declared a relief amount of Rs 1 lakh for each family internally displaced during the eight-month-long unrest in Manipur.
The disbursement will commence in January 2024, distributed in installments of Rs 25,000, said Biren while speaking to the media.
For those whose homes were destroyed, the government plans to allocate Rs 5 lakh for a kaccha house, Rs 7 lakh for a semi-pucca house, and Rs 10 lakh for a pucca house.
In this regard, Biren said that a detailed survey will be conducted to ensure maximum assistance, with potential increases if needed.
Acknowledging the progress in resettlement, he assured that the government is diligently working towards resettling remaining displaced victims currently housed in relief camps.
The welfare schemes launched on Saturday are CM's Farmer Livelihood Support Scheme, Ima Nongthangleima Yaipha Tengbang Scheme and CM's Sports Person Livelihood Guarantee Scheme.
Additionally, the chief minister unveiled various missions and projects, such as Khungang Ama, Sanabung Ama (One Village, One Playground); School Fagathansi 2.0; College Fagathansi; Libraries with Digital Infrastructure for every recognized tribal in Manipur; and construction of a 50-bed building for orphans transitioning from orphanage homes after turning 18.
Elaborating the various schemes, CM Biren said that the CM's Farmer Livelihood Support Scheme will enable to meet identified gaps which cannot be met in the short-term by existing sources of funding and even to the extent of providing machineries.
Stating that the Ima Nongthangleima Yaipha Tengbang Scheme aims to empower women, foster economic independence and contribute to their overall well-being, he said through this scheme women who are above 40 years and are not beneficiaries of any existing government scheme(s) and living without any source of livelihood will be given monetary benefit of Rs 500 per month.
The CM's Sports Person Livelihood Gurantee Scheme will provide livelihood for unemployed sportspersons who have played sports at a professional level but are not able to reach the national and international level, he maintained.
Talking on the Khungang Ama, Sanabung Ama, Biren stated that under this scheme one playground will be developed for each village where no playground is available.
Its purpose are grassroots sports development, develop and preserve open spaces for the community, rounded development of youth physical and mental, provide a healthy recreation facility for the youth and it is also a part of government's 'War on Drugs', he added.
Under the 2.0 round of the School Fagathansi Mission another 120 schools will be covered, thereby a total of 240 schools in all ACs will get infrastructure development with smart class rooms, CM Biren said.
Talking on the College Fagathansi Mission which aims to improve government colleges, the chief minister informed that in the first phase 20 colleges will be taken and provide funds of Rs. 2.5 crore each for infrastructure development.
The chief minister also conveyed the extension of free rice distribution under PM-GKAY to beneficiaries every month until 2028.
In his closing remarks, Biren earnestly appealed for a prevailing atmosphere of tranquility and unity within the state. With a genuine and heartfelt tone, he extended warm and sincere wishes to the resilient people of Manipur, marking the advent of New Year 2024.
Following the press briefing the chief minister also launched the 2024 yearly calender of the National Health Mission and Directorate of Health Services, Manipur.
