Manipur Chief Minister Unveils Two New ‘Ima Keithel’ Markets for Women Vendors
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Synopsis
On February 1, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh inaugurated two new 'Ima Keithel' markets in Imphal West, promoting women's empowerment amidst state challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Two new ‘Ima Keithel’ markets launched for women in Imphal West.
- Investment of Rs 8 crore and Rs 5 crore for Sekmai and Kanglatongbi markets respectively.
- Foundation stone laid for housing at Sekmai Police Station.
- Over 27 ‘Ima Keithels’ built to empower women since 2017.
- Economic Revival Mission to enhance local skills and livelihoods.
Imphal, February 1 (NationPress) In an initiative to empower women, the Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, officially opened two new ‘Ima Keithel’ (markets for women) in the Imphal West district on Friday.
The ‘Ima Keithel’ located at Sekmai was built at an estimated cost of around Rs 8 crore, while the one at Kanglatongbi cost approximately Rs 5 crore.
During the event, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation for new housing at Sekmai Police Station, with an investment of Rs 68.7 lakh, held at KSA Ground in Awang Sekmai.
In his address, Biren Singh highlighted the challenges faced by the citizens due to the ongoing ethnic crisis in the state.
He stated, "The state government is making every effort to restore peace and normalcy while simultaneously engaging in development projects and welfare programs."
The Chief Minister elaborated on various citizen-focused initiatives launched by the BJP-led administration since it came into power in 2017.
He noted that to date, the state government has constructed 27 ‘Ima Keithels’ as part of its commitment to women's empowerment.
Biren Singh also mentioned that the foundation stones for the two new ‘Ima Keithel’ markets were laid on January 7, 2021, and commended the Manipur Police Housing Corporation Ltd for completing the project promptly without sacrificing quality.
He urged women vendors to uphold cleanliness within and around the markets.
Additionally, he talked about the initiatives like ‘Go to Hills Mission’ and ‘Go to Village Mission’, which aim to ensure equitable development across the state and extend governance to remote villages.
He highlighted the successful execution of the ‘Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT)’, which offers cashless medical treatment to underprivileged families, benefiting around 2.15 lakh individuals with an expenditure of Rs 289 crore from the state funds.
Furthermore, he mentioned that under the Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) scheme, over 3 lakh individuals have received free treatment, costing the government Rs 280 crore.
In a bid to engage youth in sports, he announced the construction of a state-of-the-art football ground with seating at Sekmai Kangjeibung, estimated to cost approximately Rs 7 crore.
Biren Singh requested the community's support for the prompt completion of the construction.
The Chief Minister revealed that the state government has initiated an ‘Economic Revival Mission’ aimed at equipping locals with skills for sustainable livelihoods.
He added that the mission is facilitating the production of various goods, reducing reliance on imports, and contributing to the local economy.
In a brief comment, Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo noted that the inauguration and foundation laying on Friday reflect the ongoing development efforts under Chief Minister Singh’s leadership, even amidst the challenging times faced by the state.
