Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday stated that his government has been taking initiatives to convert most of the fuel-based vehicles in the state to electric vehicles in order to help reduce carbon emission and noise pollution.
Biren was speaking at the flagging off ceremony of e-Rickshaw Workers' Union, Manipur held at the Western Gate of Kangla. He said that there is a need of mobilising electronic vehicles with regards to the impact of environment and climate change.
"The initiative will help in reducing carbon emission, noise pollution to a great extent. And with this view, the government has started taking up the step of converting fuel-based vehicles into electric vehicles," Biren said.
Charging points for these vehicles will be set up like oil pumps in appropriate places, the chief minister added.
Biren assured that the government will provide every possible support to e-rickshaw workers and will also request banks to provide loans to those who want to start e-rickshaw service.
In his address, Biren also expressed his solidarity to the people of Assam and Meghalaya hit by widespread flood and landslides. He said that due to anthropogenic factors, forests and the environment are highly degraded.
As an impact, people are facing consequences of erratic rainfall, high temperature and pollution. For the sake of future generations, the government has started the movement of environmental conservation and people should be responsible for the conservation of forest and the environment, the CM said.
As a part of environment protection, poppy cultivation and construction along river beds are strictly prohibited in Manipur, he said.
Responding to a query raised by media persons, he said that launching of Agnipath Scheme is a good move. "The present geo-political scenario of India is not safe. There is a need to strengthen the defence sector of the country and such requirements would be addressed by this scheme," he said.
Under this scheme, there is a provision of issuing class 12 certificates and accommodation in the state force after four years of training, he added.
Regarding border pillar issues along Indo-Myanmar, he said that the problem has to be dealt with between countries. People of the state should think about the merits and demerits of constructing the fencing, he said.
"The present population imbalance crisis in the state is caused by keeping the border area that stretches around 390 km porous. People should discuss the merits and demerits of keeping the border porous or constructing the fencing", he said while stating that the government will continue their work after settling the dispute.
Other dignitaries who attended the function were minister of MAHUD, Yumnam Khemchand and advisor of e-Rickshaw Workers' Union Manipur, A Premkumar Singh as guest of honour and president respectively.
