IMPHAL, Nov 30: Speaking at the closing function of the Manipur Sangai Festival 2014 today, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had highlighted several issues of the State before the Prime Minister including development of infrastructure especially the highways, upgradation of RIMS to the status of AIIMS, improving connectivity both surface and air connectivity.
Ibobi said not just Manipur but the country is suffering from a shortfall of specialist doctors, and therefore this needs to be augmented.
He suggested upgrading RIMS to the status of AIIMS, as Manipur has enough faculty to run such an institute. He said such a venture would also not incur extra expenditure from the Centre.
Highlighting the plight of road connectivity, the CM in particular mentioned the Imphal-Silchar highway which has been in a deplorable condition for the last 40 years or so.
`I am not putting the blame on anybody, but it is a fact that the responsibility for the upkeep of this highway has always been with the BRO but for whatever their difficulty, the road remains virtually unmaintained, he added.
The Chief Minister also reminded Modi that there a plan to connect Porbandar in Gujarat with Silchar by an expressway. He reminded the Prime Minister, India extends beyond Silchar in the East and the Expressway should extend up to Moreh via Imphal.
Touching on another issue, he also said although the State wants to bring in peace and stability in the region and resolve the armed conflicts in the region once and for all, it cannot do away with even an inch of the State`™s territory.
Manipur is a peace loving State and want to co-exist peacefully with its neighbouring States, however, we cannot sacrifice even an inch of land, he elaborated.
Today`™s closing function which was organised by the department of Tourism was also attended by Governor of Manipur Dr Krishan Kant Paul, deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Th Lokeshwar Singh.
