Manipur Chief Minister Khemchand Singh distributes PMFME assistance to 2,835 beneficiaries, reviews Manipur’s law and order situation and launches Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 and CHHCI on Thursday.
Imphal, Sept. 17: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday distributed financial assistance to 2,835 eligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, reviewed the state’s law and order situation at a security coordination meeting and launched the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign and Clean Himalayan Hill Cities Initiative.
At a programme held at Yumnam Leikai Yumjao Lairembi Lampak in Imphal in connection with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, Khemchand distributed subsidies to eligible beneficiaries under the PMFME scheme.
The Chief Minister said the initiative would help small and unorganised food-processing businesses upgrade their operations, expand and enter the formal economy.
He said the Centre had already released the funds under the scheme, after which the Area Level Federation decided to distribute the assistance to eligible beneficiaries. Cheques were handed over to some beneficiaries at the programme, while the remaining beneficiaries received the subsidy through Direct Benefit Transfer into their respective bank accounts.
Under the scheme, the Area Level Federation had received financial assistance, following which Rs 5,000 was provided as the first instalment to each SHG member engaged in food-processing activities. The SHGs had applied under the scheme between 2022 and 2024.
Khemchand also referred to the security situation in Manipur, saying the state had traditionally been peaceful but that the prolonged crisis had adversely affected the situation.
He said signs of a gradual return of peace and normalcy were visible, citing the resumption of road travel through Kangpokpi as one of the positive developments.
The Chief Minister said people from different communities had also begun rebuilding bonds of friendship and understanding. He appealed to citizens to refrain from bandhs and blockades and cooperate with efforts to restore lasting peace and normalcy.
Later, Khemchand chaired a Security Coordination Meeting at the Cabinet Hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to review the prevailing law and order situation in the state.
Officials discussed measures required to maintain law and order and identified new vulnerable areas where additional security deployment may be required.
The meeting also focused on infrastructure projects along national highways as the working season approaches.
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and its contractors are preparing to intensify construction activities over the next six months. The government expects the increased work to result in further progress in infrastructure development.
Khemchand stressed that the government would provide necessary security support to facilitate the work wherever required. Security agencies were instructed to ensure that ongoing infrastructure projects were not disrupted and that adequate security arrangements were put in place.
The meeting was attended by Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur, DGP Mukesh Singh, Commissioner of Home N. Ashok Kumar, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) Major General Gaurav Sharma, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (East) Major General Inderjit Singh Bhinder, Inspector General of CRPF Homkar Amol Vinukant and other officials from security agencies.
Khemchand also launched the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign and the Clean Himalayan Hill Cities Initiative (CHHCI), Manipur, at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
The SHS 2026 campaign will run from September 17 to October 2 under the theme, “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat.”
The campaign will focus on five broad areas: transformation of Cleanliness Target Units and clean public places; Swachh Paathshala and youth participation; Safai Mitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir; Jan Bhagidari for Swachhata; and Swachhata Se Samriddhi.
The programme will include cleanliness drives, four-way source segregation, awareness of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, participation of citizens and young people, welfare measures for Safai Mitras and initiatives aimed at turning waste into economic resources.
The Chief Minister urged citizens, Urban Local Bodies and other stakeholders to participate actively and maintain cleanliness in their respective areas.
He stressed that proper waste management should become a sustained public practice rather than being limited to campaign periods.
Activities planned under the campaign include Swachh Paathshala and youth awareness programmes, cleanliness drives at public places, Sports for Swachhata and Safai Mitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir.
Manipur will also participate in the nationwide “Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” Shramdaan programme on October 1.
The 100-day Clean Himalayan Hill Cities Initiative, being implemented under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, will focus on capacity building, behaviour change communication, preservation of heritage and iconic sites, improved cleanliness and sanitation, and strengthening waste-management practices.
Six sites have been identified under the initiative: Ima Keithel, Kangla Fort, Cheirao Ching, Marjing Polo Statue, Loktak Lake and Andro Santhei Natural Park.
The initiatives are aimed at improving cleanliness in public spaces, strengthening waste management and encouraging greater citizen participation in sanitation activities across Manipur.
Secretary, PHED Hungyo Worshang, Secretary, MAHUD, IT and Relief & Disaster Management Somorjit Salam, along with other officials, attended the launch programme.
