Letpao Haokip
Manipur Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Letpao Haokip. Image - Northeast Now

Manipur Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Letpao Haokip on Saturday said 325.90 acres of land at Koutruk and Senjam Khunou have been identified for the construction of the National Sports University.

Haokip informed the House of 60 members on Friday evening that classes have already started at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

The Manipur Minister also stated that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India has outsourced the tender process for the construction of the university to a private company and the tender is open to all.

He continued that there is already a Sports Policy in the State which is already included in the Manipur Gazette and covers different programs including financial assistance to recognized sports associations, jobs for meritorious sportsperson in government departments, incentives for medal winners at international stages including Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

He also informed the House that the government is also planning to construct sports complex in the newly created districts.

During the discussion on Demand for Horticulture, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday said that under double the farmers’ income, the CM Focus Area programme has commenced in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts jointly by the Command Area Development Authority, Minor Irrigation and Horticulture departments.

Arunachal Horticulture Minister Th Shyamkumar Singh said on Saturday the department officials visited different areas of both the hills and the valley in the State to identify locally grown indigenous fruits and has started to provide markets for locally produced ginger, pineapple and turmeric.

He continued that following efforts of the department, 20 Metric tonnes of dried king chilly were sold in the US and Australia starting this year.

He also said that the State has also started selling organic products certified by the Manipur Organic Mission Agency.

The Minister also said that under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), which is a centrally sponsored scheme, the Centre has already released Rs. 15 crore 15 lakh till date.

He also said that rural markets, cold storage etc are constructed under the MIDH. There is also a provision for construction of rural market and retail outlet.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: [email protected]

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