The BJP led coalition government’s Manipur Cabinet meeting chaired by State Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday has approved to draft the Manipur Lok Ayukta Rules, 2018.
The historic Cabinet meeting decision was taken at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex at Kangpokpi, about 45 km north of Imphal on Friday, according to official reports that came in on Saturday.
Friday’s Cabinet meeting at Kangpokpi town was the sixth Cabinet meeting conducted outside the state capital.
Earlier similar Cabinet meetings were held in other hill towns including Churachandpur, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong etc.
Speaking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Biren Singh said that people have been constantly demanding to institute Lok Ayukta in order to bring transparency in governance and root out corruption.
He further said that the State Cabinet also gave its nod to operate the Apparel and Garment Making Centre, Lamboikhongnangkhong in Imphal West District on PPP model with private companies.
Big Concepts Foundation is currently using the Unit-I of the Centre for the production of quality apparels using raw materials from Guangzou (China).
The State Government is promoting ‘Make In Manipur’ products through this initiative.
He further informed that the Cabinet also approved lifting of ban imposed on conversion or reclamation of paddy land for residential purpose for an area of 0.20 acre in rural areas and 0.10 acre in urban areas under the provisions of the Manipur Conservation of Paddy land and Wetland Act, 2014.
The Chief Minister further said that the Cabinet also approved construction of Imphal-Moreh bypass road through direct purchase of land from land owners.
Stating that the meet decided to strengthen the State Food Commission by appointing an officer not less than the rank of a Joint Secretary as its Member Secretary, he added.
The strengthening of the State Food Commission is a must in view of the rising cases of food adulteration, poor hygiene and violation of norms in food manufacturing.
It may worth mentioning here that the State Cabinet also decided to create a separate SDO’s office for Kangpokpi.