Govt opposes Citizenship (Amendment) Bill: CM

IMPHAL | Feb 8

Chief minister N. Biren Singh has categorically stated that the government strongly opposes the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) until a clause is being inserted in the CAB that Manipur will not be affected by it or Northeast region will be exempted under the CAB or assent is given to Manipur People’s Bill at the earliest. This was stated by him at the loan distribution to fish farmers held at Chief Minister’s Secretariat today. The function was organised by Fisheries department.

Chief Minister said that people’s apprehension over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is genuine and clarified that the government is with the people and will fight for the people and the state. He asserted that the government feels the sentiments of the people and CVOs over the CA Bill. He also appealed the people to refrain from hurting the sentiments other communities during agitations.

Biren stated that around 2800 fish farmers have been identified for the distribution of loans by different banks. For the first phase, altogether 247 beneficiaries are being given loans today. He mentioned that a fish cold storage would be constructed soon in the state. Fish feed making machine would be arriving soon, he added.

He urged the farmers and beneficiaries to repay the loan amount in time so that they won’t be facing any further consequences. He appealed to the bank officials to find a solution so that the people/ farmers can get the hassle free loans.

Mentioning that there would be self-sufficient fish production in the state by 2020, chief minister said that we have abundant water bodies in our State, however there is shortage of fish production in the State. ‘Loktak Livelihood Mission’ was launched to provide employment opportunities to unemployed youths and to increase fish production in the state, he added.

Since the installation of the present government, the government has initiated various welfare schemes for the welfare of the people. The mission of the government is to improve the living standard of the people and to make life easier. He mentioned that “Go to Hills’ mission has bridged the gap between the hills and valley, around 2700 census villages have been covered under “Go to Village’ mission, lakhs of people have benefited from CMHT, CMST etc.

SBI, UBI, MSCB, UCO, Allahabad Bank, MRB and Punjab National Bank distributed the loan amounts to the beneficiaries.

Minister for fisheries, N. Kayasii; deputy speaker, K. Robindro Singh; chairman MANIDCO, Y. Radheshyam; chairman PDA, T. Robindro; chairman Manipur pollution control board, L. Radhakishore Singh; MLAs S. Bira Singh, Y. Surchandra Singh, chief secretary, J. Suresh Babu; additional chief secretary (Fisheries) M.H. Khan, director fisheries Bidyarani Ayekpam and others attended the function.