Manipur Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Yumnam Khemchand on Thursday assured that works for PMGSY phase 3 would commence within the month of August and September, 2024.
“I will try to issue the tender notice by September,” he said.
Replying to MLA Th Shyamkumar’s starred question inquiring about the implementation period of PMGSY phase 3, the minister stated that the implementation was held up because of certain issues in arranging and formulating a feasible work environment for the implementation.
“There was certain miscommunication within the department which has been sorted now. Majority of the paperworks has been cleared and the implementation will start swiftly,” he said.
MLA Shayamkumar, on the other hand, grilled the minister for delaying the implementation citing that it had led to trust issues between him and his people at Andro Assembly constituency.
“The Yairipok-Keithelmanbi road is one of the key roads which lead to Thoubal Barrage. But the construction of the road had been delayed as the works were covered under PMGSY Phase 3,” the MLA said.
He maintained that the delay in implementing the project had seriously impeded the development of the road and led to people decrying his legitimacy as an MLA of the constituency.
The RD and PR minister highlighted that the works were delayed as the implementation processes as per PMGSY had to be completed.
There were certain miscommunication gaps with the Finance department as well but that has been resolved and the tender will be issued by September, he added.
Security for educational institutions facing extortion and threats
On Thursday, MLA Th Lokeshwar drew the attention of the assembly in calling attention to a motion raising the issue of growing threats and extortion demands in educational institutions.
The MLA raised concerns over hardship faced by students, highlighting that the demands to make education a disturbance-free zone remains unmet, and the situation is escalating with regular protests by students and teachers for protection.
Responding to the MLA, Education Minister Th Basantakumar assured the assembly that all possible steps are being taken to address the situation.
“I will propose certain measures to the security advisor and DGP Manipur for short term security measures, to provide police patrols”, said the minister.
The minister said that police patrolling should be increased during school or college hours and criminal elements should be detained. He also said for intelligence gathering and OCs to take proactive steps.
Moreover, he said that the home department is currently discussing long-term policy solutions to ensure safety of educational institutions.
