A day after 40,000 kg of seized drugs was destroyed in different parts of Northeast after the high profile meeting on “Drugs Trafficking and National Security”, CM N Biren informed the success stories of the war on drugs in combating the drug menace in NEC plenary, which is another step taken towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make Drug Free India.
During the 70th Plenary of the North Eastern Council at Guwahati in Assam, N Biren raised several issues facing the state, including the drug menace on Sunday and called upon all stakeholders for collective efforts towards tackling drug trafficking in the state.
The NEC plenary session was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by Union DONER Minister G Kishan Reddy besides the chief ministers and top officials of the Central government and the Northeastern region.
Biren tweeted about the event, ” Addressed the esteemed dignitaries during the 70th Plenary of the North Eastern Council at Guwahati, Assam which was held in the presence of Hon’ble Home Minister, Shri @AmitShah ji and Hon’ble Minister for DoNER, Shri @kishanreddybjp ji today.”
Thanking the Central Government for supporting his endeavour to control illicit opium poppy cultivation in the state, CM Biren said, “the total area destruction of illicit cultivation of Poppy plantation in the State is about 14315 acres.” A day before the commencement of the NEC plenary, seized drugs around 1900 kg were destroyed.
“While the destruction of poppy plantations is one way of checking the drug problem, it is equally important to provide alternative livelihood by the cultivation of cash crops. For this, the Government had obtained approval from NEC for a pilot project to provide alternative integrated farming to farmers against illicit poppy plantation,” he further said.
Informing that the State Horticulture Department has prepared a consolidated project proposal which will be submitted to the DoNER Ministry regarding the pilot project to provide alternative integrated farming to farmers against illicit poppy plantation, he sought special support for the project.
Biren also emphasizes that the agriculture and allied sector is a priority sector and pointing out the potential for growth, the chief minister said, “To add value for farmers, we are promoting organic farming.
He added that an area of 11500 Ha was brought under Organic Cultivation during 2021-2022 against 4500 Ha during 2019- 2020 under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development (MOVCD). During the year 2021-2022, we have exported 91 MT of Chakhao (Black Scented Rice) to National Regular Buyers and 10 MT to International buyers in European countries.
Biren said Chakhao Poireiton Organic Producer Company, Imphal West is targeted to export 10 MT Chakhao (Black Rice) in 2022-2023. In addition, 20 Farmers’ Produces Company have also been formed under MOVCD-NER of the Agriculture Department, Manipur.
“We have also exported King Chili, Turmeric, and Pineapple to countries like the UK, Australia, and Germany. After World Trade Expo 2020 held in Dubai in the year 2021, 20 MT of fresh pineapple was exported to Dubai in July 2022. In-store promotion of Manipur pineapple was held in coordination with APEDA at Lulu International Grand Hypermarket, Dubai and it was reported through social media that the sale was a huge success”.
The chief minister informed the NEC plenary session that Manipur has obtained GI tag for four crops, namely Tamenglong Orange, Kachai Lemon, Sirarakhong Hathei, and Chakhao (Black Aromatic Rice), which will enhance value addition and fetch a good price for the farmers.
“My State has already identified one District one Product and we are exploring to identify One Sub division One Product for promotion based on local strength and advantages,” he added.
Lauding NEC for sanctioning eight projects under State normative (60 percent) allocation of a total estimated cost of Rs 55.64 crore for the year 2021-22, Biren said, “I am informed that fund has not been released by NEC, pending compliance of new central fund flow system of Central Nodal Agency (CNA) model. My State is working closely with the DoNER Ministry, NEC, and NEDFI to make the CNA model and PFMS a success”.
Pointing out that the new system will take time, he appealed to the DoNER Ministry to develop a mechanism for the release of funds agency-wise so that project implementation is not delayed.
The NEC is taking up projects for the development of backward blocks and deprived committees under 30 percent share of the NEC budget and other projects under a 40 percent Central share of the NEC budget.
Pointing out that the current guidelines of NESIDS do not cover the development of tourism infrastructure which is essential for the development of tourist centres and circuits, Biren urged the DoNER Ministry to revise of current NESIDS guidelines to allow the development of tourism infrastructure and 100 percent release of fund for procurement under the health sector equipments, vehicles and ambulance.
The chief minister also informed that the state government has provided support to 5,790 entrepreneurs/start-ups against the target of 6,368 entrepreneurs. During the year 2021-22, two Incubation Centres at educational and technical Institutes; namely at Dhanamanjuri University and Manipur Technical University have been set up in collaboration with Atal Incubation centres, he said.
The total amount of subsidy grant approved or sanctioned by the Planning Department is Rs 55.77 crore for a project cost of Rs 110.83 crore sanctioned, including bank loans by partner banks, he said.
In States’ Startup Ranking 2021, DPIIT has recognized the state government as an “Aspiring Leader” in developing a strong Startup Ecosystem in the state, he added.
Recently, the State Cabinet decided to create a Corpus Fund of Rs 100 crore for Start-Up, he said, adding, “With NEDFI, Guwahati, we are setting up a Start-Up Venture Fund to increase the availability of funding avenues for StartUps in the State”.
Biren also added that apart from Agriculture, Education, and Urban Development, Manipur Vision 2047 also covers other sectors like Tourism, Sports, Healthcare, and Natural Resources in view of the declaration of the next 25 years as “Amrit Kaal” of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”.