Senapati, the epicentre of peace; hopes for development soon: CM
Senapati, the epicentre of peace; hopes for development soon: CM

TMB Report

Senapati : Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stated that Senapati is the epicentre of peace and drew the attention of all to move forward towards development. The State Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the PSA (Oxygen) Plant at Senapati District Hospital which was funded under 15th FC Grant. Once, Senapati was the epicentre of strike, he said, but now it has turned to become the epicentre of peace. There will be peace in the whole state if there is peace at Senapati, he added.

N. Biren Singh, Chief Minister, Manipur stated that the visit to 3 places of hill districts was made to give a lift to oxygen shortages during this pandemic. Many instances of shifting sick persons from Senapati to Imphal had come across in the past due to lack of a trauma centre, blood bank, operation theatre, etc. Within the past four and half years, the chief minister stated, the government is doing its best to improve the infrastructure especially in the health sector. Earlier, the state government had only 25 D’ type cylinders but now, the state has around 5000 cylinders. The newly inaugurated PSA plant could produce a capacity volume of filling up 200 oxygen cylinders per day. Another scheme under PM Care fund, with a capacity of 100 cylinders production capacity is in the process to meet any urgency in the district so that a patient does not have to be shifted to Imphal. Plans are on to produce such oxygen plants at various places of the state so as to meet the necessary demands in different parts of the state, the chief minister stated.

The state government had reportedly taken up major water supply projects at Tamenglong to supply drinking water for up to 40-50 years. It is also undertaking a major water supply project in Senapati district to give sufficient drinking water. Biren further acknowledged the tireless efforts of the medical staff during the ongoing pandemic and announced that the state cabinet had recently regularised the service of the NHM staff and assured that they would get all other allowances in future.

The Chief Minister expressed his sadness why people of the district are reluctant to get vaccinated. 97% of those infected in America in the third wave are from among those unvaccinated. In order to save them from the global disease, the spirit of the Lord came to scientists to produce/invent such vaccinations and it is the only preventive measure to overcome the dreaded virus. The CM suggested that religious leaders and the CSOs pass on the awareness to people to convince them to get vaccinated. From a target of around 19 lakhs, some 12 lakhs have reportedly been vaccinated and the remaining 7 lakhs are mostly from hill districts, he said.

The CM stated that plans are there to organise the State Level Barak Festival with completion of the Indoor Stadium which is underway at Senapati ground.

Losii Dikho, minister PHED, printing and stationery, said that Senapati district deserves better medical infrastructure as lots of medical needs arise in the district.  The minister said this pandemic is a blessing in disguise for Senapati district as lots of medical infrastructures were added which may take 10 years to reach this level in normal circumstances. Dikho informed that the state chief minister was overjoyed when the plan was conceptualised to place an oxygen plant in the district and finally today it’s fulfilled. He said the government is giving its best to improve medical facilities in the district and claimed that as people’s representative he understands that the government never neglected the district in spite of its limitations and shortage.

                The minister while lauding and acknowledging the dedication and commitment of the medical fraternity urged them to walk the extra mile in the service of the people during such a pandemic. He informed that the chief minister who also holds the health portfolio has a strong commitment to improve medical facilities and manpower at the district hospital, stressing that it is the need of the hour.

                The minister emphasised the importance of Covid-19 vaccination and stated that this is the only solution and alternative to end the pandemic. He appealed to the medical fraternity, CSOs and district administration to continue its movement for health care in the district.

TA & Hills Minister Vunzagin Valte, Education Minister S. Rajen and Caretaker Chairman, ADC, Senapati A. Kapani, also attended the program in the presence of all DLOs.