Imphal (DIPR): Chief Minister N.Biren Singh has assured the House that his government will not succumb to any pressure mounted on issues concerning the boundary of the State.
Replying to a calling attention motion raised by Opposition member K.Ranjit Singh regarding the reported ban on entry of Mao villagers into Nagaland by Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO), Chief Minister Biren who is also the Leader of the House said that the issue is a very sensitive one and therefore the government is trying to solve it with a firm commitment.
He said that the dispute in the Kozuru area near Dzuko Valley is an important issue and as such the State Government has been trying to solve it without disturbing relationships with the neighbouring State of Nagaland.
He conveyed that an order was issued on December 13, 2020 and thereafter a security barrack at Kozuru was constructed with the deployment of State forces. The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland have been informed about the banning of Mao villagers entering Nagaland by SAPO and they assured us to take all steps to stop such activities. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also been informed and MHA has assured to provide full proof security to the people, he added.
Terming the incidents of burning vehicles and beating people of Manipur in Nagaland as unfortunate, the Chief Minister said that the government is closely monitoring the situation round the clock and all out efforts will be put in place to avoid any untoward incidents.
Mao to Dimapur bus service via Peren district of Nagaland has been introduced for facilitating people travelling to Nagaland. Mao market has also been opened in different locations of Imphal city so as to enable people of Mao area to sell their products, he maintained.
Biren said that people of Mao area and especially Mao MLA L.Dikho have been supporting the steps taken up by the government. The Chief Minister appreciated the MLA and the people through the August House.
Raising the motion, K.Ranjit Singh drew the attention of the House urging the State Government to take up concrete steps to defend the illegal pressure of SAPO to protect people of Mao area.
Forest Environment and Climate Change Minister Th.Biswajit Singh informed the House that steps have been taken up to stop illegal burning of forest in the hills. Answering to a question raised by MLA K.Ranjit MLA, the Minister disclosed that 14,699.04 hectares of reserved forest were burnt down during 2019 to January this year and that six persons have been arrested in this connection and trial is on.
Replying to another question raised by MLA Ngursanglur Sanate, the Minister said that the department is trying to open a forest beat office in Pherzawl to check illegal hunting and poaching activities. Forest personnel will be deployed especially during October to December to check the hunting of Amur Falcon, a migratory bird coming to the district, he added.
Responding to another question raised by MLA K.Ranjit, Biswajit said that under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region, organic farming has been practising in 11,500 hectares of land in the State and under the mission, financial assistance for procuring organic inputs has been given to the farmers.
Replying to another question raised by MLA Ram Muivah, Biswajit who is also in-charge of Power said that five villages namely Ronshak, Sahamphung, Roni, Khayang and Phungtha have been electrified through off grid mode by photovoltaic module by MANIREDA since 2017-2018. He said that these villages are being planned to be electrified through Grid mode once the planned 33/11 kv Sahamphung sub-station is taken up.
CAF&PD Minister L.Susindro Meitei informed the House that steps have been taken up to start procuring locally produced rice for distribution under NFSA.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Surjakumar Okram, the Minister said the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution has intimated for developing required procurement and the milling infrastructure including development of online procurement portal. He said that two rice mills will be imported from Germany and required land has been developed for installation at Sangaiprou. He said that the government is planning to procure 30,000 metric tonnes of rice once the required infrastructure and equipment are ready.
The Minister, who is also in charge of PHED, said that steps have been taken up for full functioning of Ramrei Water Supply Scheme. He was replying to a question raised by MLA Ram Muivah.
