Union Minister of State RK Ranjan on Wednesday called on the media fraternity of the state to expose irregularities, if any, in the implementation of various welfare schemes of the government.
Ranjan was speaking as the chief guest during the inauguration of the Vartalap (Dialogue) Media Workshop organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) at Hotel Classic Grande in Imphal East.
The Union minister pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had introduced nearly 180 different welfare schemes and policies with the slogan ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.’
Ranjan further informed that the slogan is directly linked with the objectives of the UN sustainable development goals.
“So, the media as a fourth pillar of the democracy here plays a vital role in effective implementation of these schemes and policies by exposing every irregularity which disrupts the transparency and smooth flow of the schemes,” he said.
The minister also informed that the diplomacy of India is one of the best in the world as the country abides to constitutions, follows the international law and firmly stands for territorial integrity.
Elaborating on the economic diplomacy of the country, he explained that the country has identified the goods that will become deficit in the near future and signed a contract with the country which will be able to supply the items.
Regarding the National Education Policy 2020, Ranjan who is holding the portfolio of Education, said its main objective is to give affordable, quality and equity education to all.
“A bad education is more destructive than a nuclear weapon as it spoils the whole society, whereas a good education can bring the whole society forward,” the minister said.
Ranjan also appealed to the media fraternity of the state to let the public understand that the government educational institutes are not less than any other private institutes in terms of quality education.
He further stressed on the need to explore the rich biodiversity of the state and utilise them in a positive and innovative way. He pointed out the need to sensitise the younger generation on various aspects of development for making a better Manipur.
The minister also informed that the Centre is in the process to convert all the villages in the border areas to a tourism hot spot and make them vibrant, so that the villagers can contribute in preventing influx of outsiders.
Moreover, the Centre is also taking up policy to construct an ‘all weather road’ leading to all the border villages, he added.
The function was also attended by additional director general of PIB, Imphal, B Narayanan and additional director of PIB, Kohima, K Sonikumar Singh among others.
