Only self-transformation can uplift society: Biswajit

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 3

The newly elected office bearers of Manipur State Panchayat Parishad (MSPP) took oath and promised to perform their duties and responsibilities in sincere and diligent manner at ‘Annual Panchayat Summit’ held at Manipur Panchayat Bhavan, Porompat today.

Addressing as chief guest, minister of Works, Power, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and Commerce and Industries, Thongam Biswajit Singh said that the concept of panchayati raj was brought up by Mahatma Gandhi with the vision of bottom to top level development.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the NDA government is implementing several schemes that may support in bringing Gandhi’s dream a success, he added.

Biswajit said that awareness about the role of panchayati raj is meager in the country despite having a democratic form of government. It is the high time to put persistent effort in creating awareness on significant role played by member of panchayat, he added.

He continued that as per norms, the number of days for MGNREGS is used to allocate after analysing the performance of the scheme in the state in the last three years. However due to failure of proper implementation of the scheme in Manipur by previous government, the present government had earmarked just for 19 days, he maintained.

Observing the need transformation in the state, the minister said that a new change can only be achieved when transformation and reformation begins within oneself. Without sincerity to transform oneself, it is hard to bring any positive changes in the society, he added.

He also stated about the mandatory implementation of the rights guaranteed in Indian Constitution and pointed out the negligence shown by previous government in the ministry of Panchayati Raj, which is a serious matter to be discussed.

The present government is going to take up some initiatives and policies that will help in bringing sustainable form of development, said Biswajit.

He also declared that the honorarium which is included in memorandum submitted by MSPP will surely be revised.

Chief advisor of MSPP, N. Mohendro Singh in his key note address stated about the reason for degrading the value of panchayati raj. He said that most of the elected members are fresh who do not have proper knowledge in the sector and they lack motivation.

Proper guidance with appropriate policies is of utmost importance and MSPP is a bridge between government and elected member of panchayat, which needs to be to strengthen, he suggested.

For effective functioning of the panchayati raj institution, Mohendro requested minister Biswajit to form a steering committee and add the slogan ‘go to the villages and transform your villages’ in the policies and programme.

According to index of devolution report for the year 2014-15 release by ministry of Panchayati Raj, government of India, Manipur ranked in 23 out of 25 states.

MSPP had handed over the memorandum that included revision of honorarium, devolution of power and separate chief executive officer of zilla parishad to minister Biswajit at today’s function.

The oath taking of all the 11 newly elected office bearers were administered by N. Mohendro Singh.    

The function was attended as president by president of MSPP, Toijam Itobi Singh, along with MLA of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa, Soibam Subhaschandra Singh and MLA of Jiribam, Ashab Uddin as special guests. The guests of honour were, Adhyaksha of Thoubal zilla parishad, Hasina Begum, Adhyaksha of Bishnupur zilla parishad, Romabai Lairenjam, Adhyaksha of Imphal West zilla parishad, R.K. Taruni, Adhyaksha of Imphal East zilla parishad, P. Bimola Devi, Adhyaksha of Kakching zilla parishad, Ph. Jiten Singh and Adhyaksha of Jiribam zilla parishad Kh. Janaki.