By N. Sanatomba
New Delhi, Oct 9 : Two day economic editors’ conference held in New Delhi organised by the PIB Govt of India concluded today at Sashtri Bhavan. On the concluding day the following issues like infrastructural problem of Central Agriculture University in Imphal, up gradation of Imphal airport, shortage of power supply and non availability of cooking gas were raised before the concerned ministers, who addressed the conference.
Drawing the attention of the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar this correspondent informed that in the 10th five years plan Central Agriculture University Imphal had returned Rs 80 cores to the centre for one reason perhaps unable to utilise the fund properly and consequently in the 11th five years there had not been addition of infrastructure in the university complex, while at the same time the other academic institutions like RIMS and Manipur University had seen addition massive structures. He was asked why CAU cannot do that. The Minister replied prevailing law and order problem in the state has stood as obstruction in the visit of faculty members for conducting research work. But fund is not a problem if there is requirement of fund it will be delivered without delay.
Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh perhaps was not well aware of the development that has taken place at Imphal airport that he posed the question where do you want go when this scribe put a pointed a question when will Imphal airport become international airport. The minister was also informed that the prosperous south East Asian nations neighbouring with Manipur have expressed their willingness to visit Gaya the birth place of Budha. One official of the Civil Aviation Ministry informed the gathering that there had been increase in the frequencies of flight and Imphal airport have received night landing facilities. Ajit Singh told in response to other questions from other scribes that every MP in the country wants one international airport in their respective states. He however assured to look into the demand of for up gradation of Imphal airport up to international level.
Dr. M. Veerapa Moily Power Minister was informed of the shortage of power supply in Manipur. He was told that since the commissioning of Loktak Hydro Electric Project a national project in the slate seventies Manipur has not added a single unit and the consumers receive only 6 hours power supply in 24 hours. The Minister was asked to release more fund for taking up hydel projects in the state. He was warned against bringing private partners in power sector. The consequence has been felt in Delhi, where power tariff had shot up beyond the affordable level of common masses and Tejriwala has protested against the power hike. The Minister assured to look into the matter. He said power scarcity in the country would be solved in the near future.
Oil and Natrual Gas Minister Jaipal Reddy was the last minister to address the session. The Minister was informed that six subsidised gas or none subsidised gas makes no sense in Manipur. If a consumer in Manipur can be provided at least five gas cylinders annually it will be considered as fulfilling a boon. Number one problem facing Manipur is gas scarcity. Increase state’s quota the problem may be solved. Jaipal Reddy replied there is no quota system in the allocation of refilled gas cylinders. He also assured to look into the matter.
The concluding as usual was conducted by the head of PIB Neelam Kapur.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/fund-no-problem-in-development-of-cau-says-pawar/
