Biren announces to pay Rs 1K to each of IDPs, to disburse salary ahead of Ningol Chakouba

Imphal: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday announced to release a financial relief of Rs 1,000 per head for all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Manipur for the 5th time of the government’s initiative, ahead of the Ningol Chakkouba Festival, which falls on November 3.

The chief minister also assured to disburse salaries and pensions for state employees before October 31.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the chief minister’s secretariat, here.

The chief minister’s press interaction was held after his recent four-day visit to the national capital, which was his longest trip since the crisis that began on May 3, 2023.

On reports of possible collapse of the state government, the chief minister said, he had no knowledge of such reports.

Regarding the recent meeting between legislators from the Meetei, Kuki, and Naga communities in New Delhi over Manipur crisis, Biren said the release from the Press Information Bureau was the official stance.

He highlighted the efforts of both the central and state governments in working towards restoring peace and development in Manipur.

The chief minister also announced that several stalled projects related to national highways in the state had received clearance.

He said Rs 1,000 crore was set to be sanctioned for road construction projects in both the hill and valley regions.

A separate sum of Rs 175 crore has been released for the construction of concrete roads in Imphal City, Greater Imphal, and areas within a 10-kilometer radius of district headquarters in the hill regions, he added.

Housing with privacy for IDPs is in process. A proposal for urban housing for the general population has been sent for approval, the chief minister said.

Ministers Th. Biswajit, L. Susindro, H. Dingo, Th. Basanta, Awangbow Newmai, and S. Ranjan, MLAs Karam Shyam, S. Kunjakeshor, S. Premchandra, Dinganglung Gangmei, Th. Arunkumar, Kh Ibomcha, L. Shanti, M. Rameshwar, and Leishio Keishing were present at the press conference.