On the path to peace, says CM while launching Swachhata Hi Seva fortnight Saturday to be working day from Oct

IMPHAL, Sep 16 (DIPR)
The State is passing through a difficult time, but it is on the path to peace, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh today.
He made the statement while addressing the launch of Swachhata Hi Seva fortnight at the Cabinet Hall, CM Secretariat.
At the function, N Biren Singh said "We are passing through a difficult time, but with the support and cooperation of people including civil society organisations and others, we are on the path to bring understanding among the communities and towards peace."
With the support of the people, Manipur had achieved so much in the last few years. But due to the unfortunate crisis, the State has lost some three-four months. To make up for this, Government employees must put in more effort, he said
From October onwards, the Government is planning to resume the six-day working week. There will be no holidays on Saturdays, he said.
All efforts are on to find a solution and bring peace at the earliest, he said, seeking support of the people and blessings from God.
He expressed confidence that the situation in the State is improving and it will be normalized very soon.
The Chief Minister also stated that the State has taken steps to ensure availability of essential commodities in all districts, and the public must have witnessed the opening of National Highways and deployment of security forces in sensitive areas.
On the Swachhata Hi Seva fortnight [from September 15 to October 2], N Biren said the objective is to make Manipur a lively State.
The 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign’s theme for 2023 is 'Garbage Free India'.
During the past nine years, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, the country has witnessed big changes in terms of cleanliness and development. Various schemes have been introduced in the State including the Nambul River Rejuvenation Project, the Chief Minister said.
As a part of the efforts taken up to clean and rejuvenate rivers, the Chief Minister said waste water from 72 drains will be tapped and treated at Heirangoithong Waste Treatment Plant before releasing the clean water to rivers.
The State has already received technical clearance for such projects for Imphal River and Kongba River from the Centre. Two other projects for Moirang River and Nambol River are in the consideration stage, and DPR (Detailed Project Report) for four more projects for Thoubal River, Chakpi River, Moreh River, Heirok River are being prepared, he said.
Keeping Manipur clean and hygienic is the collective responsibility of the people, the Chief Minister said and called on all the people including students, civil organisations, local clubs, Panchayats to join the fortnight campaign to keep the environment clean.
He added that all sections of the society, the people, Government officials, elected members should come together to make Manipur a lively State by taking part in tree plantation drives and safeguarding the environment, water bodies etc.
He further informed that the tender process for the Lamphelpat Project (construction of a waterbody) has already been completed and the first phase-dredging work will commence soon.
Expressing serious concern on the lack of rainfall, the Chief Minister said sincere efforts should be put in to safeguard and increase forest cover by planting more trees. All households should use water judiciously and harvest rainwater, he said.
To mitigate water scarcity, he said a long-term plan is in the pipeline to lay pipelines and create reservoirs to store water from Loktak Project, he added.
The Chief Minister also stressed on the role of MAHUD as the nodal agency to work with DCs, local clubs, Municipality, ADCs, NGOs to make a 'Clean Manipur and Clean India'.
The launch function organised by Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD) was attended by Chief Secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, Administrative Secretaries, HoDs among Government officials. Deputy Commissioners virtually joined the launch programme.
As a prelude to Swachh Bharat Diwas, the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) fortnight, to be observed from September 15 to October 2, was  launched yesterday by Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri and Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh.