So far, 2010 prefabricated houses have been constructed with a total amount of Rs 100.30 crore and 990 prefabricated houses are yet to be constructed with an estimated cost Rs 49.40 crore with Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited as implementing agency, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Monday.
He shared information during the 5th session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Monday while responding to MLA Surjakumar Okram unstarred question.
The chief minister responded that the state has received financial assistance from the centre for rehabilitation, relief and welfare of the victims of the ethnic violence in the state that started from May, 2023.
So far, the state received Rs 203.25 crore out of approved packages of Rs 400.42 crore by MHA; Rs 7.35 crore for central share of ex-gratia totalling to Rs 210.60 crore received.
Fifty per cent for construction of houses amounting to Rs 5.69 crore had been released to 139 families under permanent housing scheme; another Rs 12.69 crore sanctioned for disbursement of the same to another 472 families. Houses can be constructed by beneficiaries themselves or with the help of district administration concern, he informed.
Government had sanctioned Rs 15 crore for disbursement of 25 percent advance of the interim relief for those whose homes had been completely burnt down or damaged. Further, identification of beneficiaries and account verification is going on by deputy commissioner, he said.
Rs 38.60 crore was approved under the scheme for compensatory package for farmers affected by the ongoing law and order crisis.
The state government had also rolled out a permanent housing scheme for the displaced persons whose houses had been burnt down and damaged due to the present law and order crisis. Under the scheme, 5000 permanent houses will be taken up as per the allocation with Rs 10 lakh per pucca house, Rs 7 lakh per semi-pucca house and Rs 5 lakh per kutcha house.
The state government had also introduced a scheme for interim relief to people whose houses had been burnt down and damaged, with assistance set at Rs 1 lakh per household.
It also quoted that a press note was issued on July 6, 2023 which extended relief to bank loan borrowers due to the law and order situation under RBI direction of 2018. Opening of bank branches and ATMs were facilitated and endured so that business activities could continue.
Free movement of goods was facilitated and ensured along the Imphal to Jiribam national highway. In addition, the movement of freight trains up to Khongsang railway station was started to carry essential goods.
1650 MSMEs have sanctioned loans of Rs 113 crore for 2023 under the Manipur Credit Guarantee Scheme in collaboration with CGTMSE, which is collateral free.
CM assures to improve accommodation for IDPs
Chief Minister N Biren Singh has assured on the Manipur Legislative Assembly floor that all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are staying at community halls will be provided partition facilities while the same will be removed from prefabricated houses by May.
Leader of the House, N Biren Singh made the assurance on Monday during the ongoing 5th session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, while responding to a short duration discussion raised by opposition MLA Th Lokeshwar Singh on the challenges faced by the internally displaced people due to the prevailing violence.
During the short duration discussion agenda, opposition MLA K Ranjit and MLA K Meghachandra also placed their statement in connection with the matter. While from the treasury bench, MLA M Rameshwar and MLA Thongam Shanti also placed their statements, drawing the attention of chief minister N Biren Singh and highlighting the issues faced by the IDPs at relief camps.
Highlighting the issues faced by the IDPs, Opposition MLA Lokeshwar informed the House that the many relief camps are opened and prefabricated houses are constructed. However, the IDPs are still facing the issues of staying at the relief camps and prefabricated houses.
Drawing attention of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, opposition MLA Lokeshwar informed the House to make a policy for IDPs especially for medical assistance.
Moreover, the MLA and MLA K Ranjit informed similar issues faced by the IDPs during cremation, childbirth, and medical treatment during their stay.
MLA M Rameshwar from the treasury bench informed the House to remove the culture of chieftainship of Kuki communities which is one of the main reasons behind the unnatural growth of villages in the hilly areas.
Clarifying the statements of both the MLAs of the Opposition and the treasury bench, leader of the House, N Biren informed the House that the present crisis was intentionally erupted by some groups. Such a crisis may last longer though the state government has been taking various initiatives to bring back to normalcy.
The crisis did not erupt immediately but it was rather a year-long pre-planned move in the attempt to disintegrate Manipur. Regardless, the government is trying to provide necessary assistance for the IDPs but it is time to work with cooperation for the safeguard of Manipur, he stressed.
“We need to discuss why the Central valley is surrounded. When did it happen and what steps could be taken for safeguarding the future generation? The state government and central government are facing the present crisis which was caused earlier before the arrival of the present government. Now, the crisis has become transparent from the demand for a separate administration, unauthorised changing of names of districts and others. These issues cannot be sidelined,” CM Biren said.
He further said that the government under the joint funding with the Central Government has been providing necessary assistance by constructing temporary prefabricated houses at different locations. He said the government is also taking steps to remove partitions from pre-fabricated houses to make them into larger rooms for each family.
The law and order situation is getting better as many IDPs have started returning to their original houses, and the process for construction of the vandalised houses has also started. As for the IDPs staying at the community halls, the government is planning to provide a partition so that they can get some privacy, he added.
The government is also taking necessary measures to provide necessary medical assistance by providing respective health cards and by establishing a corpus fund for treatment of IDPs, he informed.
The chieftainship system is also one of the main reasons behind the present crisis, he said. The President of India under his assent has directed to abolish the chieftainship system, he further said, adding the chieftainship system has been removed from Mizoram state at present, CM Biren.
Biren informed that the government has started a ground and air survey for construction of vandalised houses.
Meanwhile, supplementing the statement of the agenda, opposition MLA, K Ranjit drew the attention of chief minister N Biren Singh to remove chieftainship from Manipur.
