IMPHAL, Dec 6 ? The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance ministry at the Centre is making efforts to frame a common formula for proper channelisation of the potential as well as the resources available in the region for developmental activities on all fronts. Disclosing this at a reception function of the BJP state unit held at the Manipur Dramatic union hall in Imphal, Union Minister for Small Scale Industries and Development of North Eastern Region (Doner) Dr Chandreshwar Prasad Thakur on his maiden visit to Manipur on Friday, expressed his desire to take the ?benefits? of the centrally sponsored schemes to the common people of the region.
He also exhorted the people of the region to take up self oriented activities in producing cane and bamboo products as 70 per cent of the country?s total bamboo is available in North-east. The people from the region failed to meet the demands for the bamboo and cane products during an exhibition in New Delhi in July last year. Lamenting the status of Manipur among the all the eight North-east states in the field of developmental activities, Thakur however expressed satisfaction over the progress of the development activities in the other NE states. Considering the proposal of converting the present status of Manipur University into a central university, the visiting minister assured ?We?re very much concerned about it? and necessary recommendation would be made in consultation with the Union Ministry of Human Resources.
Conversion of the Manipur University into a central university? is a long standing demand of both the ruling Congress-led Secular Progressive Front government as well as the opposition Democratic People?s Alliance. Regarding the launching of mobile telephone facilities in Manipur, Dr Thakur made it clear that things could be materialised latest by mid-January next year. Neighbouring Nagaland?s capital had recently enjoyed the mobile telephone facilities since November 30 this year after the prime Minister?s visit to the state in the last week of October.
The central government sanctioned necessary funds for laying of broad gauge railway line from Jiribam junction, the only railhead of the state, 235 km west of Imphal along Assam-Manipur border to Tupul in Tamenglong district, the visiting minister informed the reception function .