Union Minister Salman Khurshid laying the foundation stone for the ITI, Lilong building

Imphal, February 09 2010: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid laid foundation stones of Thoubal ITI and water supply projects at Lilong today.

Under Multi Sectorial Development Programme which is also a flagship programme of the UPA Government, one Industrial Training Institute (ITI) for Thoubal district will be constructed at Lilong in addition to ten water supply projects in different parts of Thoubal district.

Speaking as chief guest at the foundation stone laying function held at Lilong Mairenkhul under the aegis of the Department of MOBC, Salman Khurshid said that Lilong would soon become an important place for the whole State.

Development of minority Muslim-inhabited Lilong would benefit the surrounding areas too.

Salman Khurshid, who is visiting Manipur for the first time, said he would come back again with development package.

For projects and schemes to be taken up in minority inhabited areas of the country with the objective to bring equitable development, an amount of Rs 3700 crores have been earmarked in the current five year plan, he said.

Stating that 50 per cent seats have been reserved for women in Panchayat, Salman Khurshid exhorted the public to promote education of girls.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, Health Minister Ph Parijat, PHE Minister TN Haokip and MOBC Minister Md Allaudin Khan were also present at the foundation stone laying function.

Addressing the gathering, Ibobi said the State Government proposed establishment of an ITI at Lilong with a view to benefit minority Muslims.

He said that the upcoming ITI would benefit not only youngsters of Lilong but also youth of other minority groups.

He appealed to the people of Lilong to tackle collectively any disturbance that may be posed in constructing the ITI with a feeling that the institute is for the people, not the Government.

He went on to declare that Lilong Mairenkhul would be developed as a tourist spot.

In his welcome address, MOBC Minister Md Allaudin Khan said the Centre has sanctioned Rs 139.10 crores to take up different development programmes in five districts of Manipur.

Out of this, Rs 7.91 crores have been set aside for the ITI and another Rs 7.20 crores for the ten water supply schemes to be taken up in Thoubal district, he added.

Source: The Sangai Express

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