Nongthongbam Biren Singh believes in letting his action speak for itself. Having held important party positions in the Congress and having served as Minister in the long reign of the grand old party, he saw the functioning of previous regime from close quarters, became aware of the public’s problem and its disenchantment with the previous Government. This knowledge, Biren feels, has given him a distinct advantage to do what is needed to be done to address the grievances of the people of the State. But after becoming the first BJP Chief Minister of Manipur, this footballer-turned-journalist-turned politician realised that running the troubled-torn State like Manipur — home to various ethnic groups with contesting political aspirations, insurgency, underdevelopment, unemployment, and bandh and strikes every other day — is not a cakewalk. As he treads carefully to clear the mess left by the previous Congress Government, Chief Minister Biren, while speaking to The Pioneer’s leichombam Kullajit, says the first thing that he always keeps in mind is to make people feel proud of their motherland and keep the State safe. Excerpts:
It has been almost seven months. What do you think is your greatest achievement so farIJ
Since assuming office, it has been my constant endeavour to connect with the people and bridge the hill-valley divide. I can say with confidence that we have been able to achieve these two important things. People’s trust has been regained and confidence in the Government has come back. Earlier, there was a complete disconnect.
With more than a quarter of State population of nearly 3 million (according to 2011 census) unemployed; jobs, piped drinking water, roads and other development programmes were the major poll planks of the BJP. How far has the Government achieved in this regardIJ
This is the major challenge and my Government is in the process of taking this challenge as an opportunity to serve the youth by creation of jobs directly or indirectly through skill development and promotion of private and public investment. The Manipur Government has taken up various measures for creating jobs in both domestic and global labour markets through job-oriented skill development training programmes in health, IT, tourism, sports, agriculture and allied sectors, sericulture, technical education, and industries and commerce. State-level skill development mission is in place to formulate prospective plans apart from detailed action plans for skill development in the State. A State mission on employment, housing and drinking water for each household by 2022 is launched by the State Government. There is a target to generate 7.50 lakh employment by 2022 starting from current year through Government and private investment.
For the first time in more than 15 years in Manipur, there has been no economic blockade and major bandhs and strikes in seven months. However after a lull, the United Naga Council had given a 48-hour ultimatum (expired on October 1) seeking your Government’s position over the creation of seven new districts by the previous regime. Is this a sign of the seasonal economic blockade of the lifelines of ManipurIJ
We had promised a bandh and blockade-free Manipur during the elections and the promise still holds. We have adopted a pro-active approach to address the various grievances and demands put up by various organisations. The aggrieved groups are invited for talks and the Government position is made clear to them. We do not give false assurances. We tell them, this much can be done. As regards the UNC ultimatum, tripartite talks have resumed.
In your first Cabinet meeting in March this year, the State Government had launched an anti-corruption cell. How many persons or corrupt officials have been booked or arrested so farIJ
So far, 23 officials in various departments have been placed under suspension and departmental proceedings have been taken up. Four officials have re-assigned and three personnel of Manipur Rifles given last warning. One retired official’s retirement benefits have been held up.
With former CM O Ibobi, Chief Secretaries O Nabakishore and Poonia booked in the MDS misappropriation of funds, and the State Government going for a CBI probe, does this signal a serious resolve to fight corruption in the StateIJ
Yes.
What is your answer to the ‘political vendetta’ allegation of the CongressIJ
We strictly go by the book and records. There is absolutely no question of dragging in anyone for the sake of political vendetta. law will take its own course.
With 10th and 15th of each month being held as People’s Day and Hill leaders’ Day respectively, people across far and wide have appreciated such move of your Government, probably a first time in the North-East. Do you think it would help in bridging the divide between the hills and valleyIJ
Yes. Earlier, the popular narrative in the hills was that the State Government based in Imphal is partial to the majority community inhabiting the valley. With the slogan ‘Go to Hills’ my Government has been able to establish a strong connection with the general population in the hills. Hill people from all walks of life come on 15th of every month with their
grievances. Surprisingly, some came just to gift a shawl and shake my hand. With satisfaction, I can say that I have been able to win the hearts and minds of the hill people. I am sure this will pave the way for cementing the age-old bond of co-existence and shared historical experiences.
Are the points suggested by the people under such programmes being reflected in the policies adopted by the GovernmentIJ
Yes. By reaching out to the people directly, we gain valuable suggestions. Through their grievances, we have been able to perceive a fair understanding of the expectations of the general public beginning from the basics. This exercise also helps us in pre-emptive action.
How do you plan to tackle one of the prominent issues in the State — that of the influx of non-indigenous people in the StateIJ Is there a plan to hold discussions with the stakeholders Joint Committee on Inner line Permit System (JCIlPS) as also the Kuki bodiesIJ
All stakeholders will be brought on board in tackling the issue. Meanwhile, border stations in Moreh and Jiribam have been put on high alert. Both police stations in Moreh and Jiribam have been strengthened, and house-to-house search is on to detect illegal migrants in these towns. Some more police stations have been opened in the border areas.