MANIPUR: MoS OF WATER RESOURCES INSPECTED FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS

5 July 2018:

Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, MoS, Water Resources (WR) today visited the state on a two-day visit to inspect the flood-affected areas and the major dams. Immediately after arrival, he visited the areas which have been most severely affected by the recent flood.

Shri Letpao Haokip, State WR Commissioner Shri H Deleep, Chief Engineer Shri Pritam and other top officials of the department accompanied the MoS in his visit.

Firstly, the team inspected three areas under Langthabal AC. The areas are Lilong Chajing Thongkhong, Chajing Mairenkhong and Chajing Karam. Langthabal MLA and CAF PD Minister Shri Karam Shyam were also present in this portion of the inspection.

Speaking to media persons at the site, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal said that his visit is under the strict instruction of the Prime Minister to visit the NE states regularly and to stock up the situation and to relay the ground reality and severity of the damages done by the flood to the higher officials at the Centre. He assured that the ministry will look into the matter seriously and will provide necessary funds to restore normalcy at the best possible level.

He added that his visit is to look for a long term policy and arrangement to prevent flood in future in the state as the present Central government does not believe in mere short term measures. If the problem is not addressed with a long-term vision, the problem will become worse and people will suffer repeatedly due to the cumulative effect. The government is committed to bring development to the NE region as the region remains backward in comparison to the rest of the state, further stated Shri Arjun.

State WR Minister Shri Letpao Haokip said that he will request the Centre to release all the pendings of the standing liability of the state. At current, Thoubal Dam has a pending of Rs 111 crores and Rs 25 crores of the Dolaithabi Project, both under FMP.

The minister also said that taking opportunity of the MoS’s visit, he will request for a special fund package in relation to the recent flood, and he expressed hope that there will be a positive outcome to that. With that, sunken areas and low-lying areas can be developed more effectively. Shri Letpao also appealed the public to co-operate with the government while taking up any development activities and not to create disturbances of any sort that will delay the process.

There at the site, MoS Shri Arjun Ram met the aggrieved victims of the flood whose houses have been swept away by the flood. He empathized with their grievances and assured adequate assistance to them.

Later, the team also visited Namthanpung area of New Checkon, Imphal East where water breakage from the Imphal river occurred.

Shri Arjun will inspect the Dolaithabi Barrage Project and the Thoubal Multipurpose Project before leaving Imphal for New Delhi, tomorrow.