Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh says the Imphal Ring Road project can progress after pending land acquisition in Imphal East is completed.
Imphal, Sept 7: The Imphal Ring Road project is expected to gain momentum as land acquisition is nearing completion, with only a portion of land in Imphal East district remaining to be acquired, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh informed the Manipur Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Responding to a calling attention motion moved by Opposition MLA K Meghachandra Singh during the ongoing eighth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, Khemchand stated that the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded project had been delayed due to law and order conditions and delays in land acquisition.
The state government has already paid Rs 105 crore in land compensation, while another Rs 60 crore is expected to be disbursed soon, the Chief Minister stated.
He identified the pending land acquisition at Khurai Ipum Pat in Imphal East as the remaining issue affecting the project. Khemchand expressed hope that construction work would progress once the acquisition process in the area is completed.
The tendering process for the project has already been completed in accordance with ADB guidelines and approval, he stated.
The state government has also spent Rs 189 crore as its share of the civil works component of the project. Officials of the State Public Works Department (PWD) met ADB representatives in August to discuss the modalities for taking the project forward, according to the Chief Minister.
Government working to address education-related issues
During another calling attention motion, the Chief Minister also responded to questions from Opposition MLA Surjakumar Okram on education-related matters.
Khemchand stated that the prolonged disruption caused by the COVID-19 lockdown and the conflict that began on May 3, 2023, had adversely affected the academic environment in the state. He stated that efforts are underway to make up for the academic time lost during the period.
On the University Grants Commission (UGC) 12(B) status, the Chief Minister stated that the government is giving serious attention to the matter. The proposal was submitted to the UGC on May 13, 2026, while the required processes, including those relating to recruitment, are underway.
He expressed hope that the 12(B) status would be secured soon.
Regarding recruitment to the Manipur Education Services, Khemchand stated that the service rules framed in 2012 had undergone changes, including measures to streamline the promotion process. The rules were subsequently amended during 2022-23, and the remaining process is expected to be completed after inspection by the Director and Commissioner concerned.
Government plans recruitment of 1,100 primary teachers
On the recruitment of 1,100 primary teachers, the Chief Minister stated that the Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) programme is offered by only a limited number of institutions across the country.
In view of the limited availability of the programme, the government’s recruitment policy allows selected candidates to complete the required qualification within five years.
Khemchand also informed the Assembly that around 4,000 teachers are associated with the state government, while the B.Ed. training institute at DM College has an annual capacity of only 100 seats.
The government is exploring a partnership with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to provide B.Ed. training to the remaining teachers, he stated.
DM University scholarship assistance under consideration
On scholarship and financial assistance for students of Dhanamanjuri University (DMU), the Chief Minister stated that the financial requirement is substantial, estimated at around Rs 14 crore.
He stated that the government is currently examining an appropriate financial mechanism to provide the assistance and expressed hope that the matter would be addressed soon.
