IMPHAL, March 15 - Celebrating the third anniversary of the BJP-led government in Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced the �biggest ever scheme� for the welfare of the sportspersons and artistes of the State at the Chief Minister�s Secretariat here on Sunday.
Deputy Chief Minister N Joykumar, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, the DGP, top civil and police officials were present during the celebration. The Chief Minister and other dignitaries also released a �coffee table book� on the completion of three years of the government. The coffee table book is published by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Manipur. A short film highlighting the achievements of the government in the last three years was also showcased during the programme.
Briefing the media persons, the Chief Minister informed that the Chief Minister�s �Akhannaba Sanaroisingi Tengbang� (CMAST) and �Chief Ministergi Artiste Singgi Tengbang� (CMAT) schemes would provide benefits to sportspersons and artistes who have brought laurels to the State and country. It is projected that around Rs 736 lakh and Rs 570 lakh respectively will be required for the newly announced two schemes � CMAST and CMAT.
Biren Singh said that under the CMAST scheme, the government would provide suitable employment in government services to sportspersons winning medals in notified disciplines in notified international events on the basis of criteria to be laid down by State Government. All unemployed sportspersons and coaches who have participated or won medals in national and international sports tournaments will be covered under Chief Minister�s Halshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) with all benefits, he added.
The Chief Minister then stated that CMAST would also support the sportspersons for purchasing of costly sports items like cycle, bow, rifle, pistol etc. The enhanced cash awards to be given to Olympians who bag gold, silver, bronze and participants to Olympics are Rs 1 crore, 75 lakh, 50 lakh and 10 lakh respectively. Under the scheme, the government would provide incentive of upto Rs 2 lakh per annum to around 250 local clubs of the State.
The scheme would also include lifetime pension scheme for unemployed sportspersons and coaches of 50 years and above who have represented Manipur/India either in national or international tournaments, he added.
Recognising the contribution of artistes of the State, Chief Ministergi Artiste Singgi Tengbang (CMAT) has been designed with a view to encourage the artistes in every field such as performing arts, literary arts and visual arts and their associated institutions. The CMAT is targeted to benefit about 4000 artistes in a year.
Biren Singh said that under CMAT, pension will be extended to around 1000 artistes who are 60 years and above. Pensioners include awardees, gurus and non-awardees who have contributed in preserving the tradition, culture and art forms of Manipur. Financial assistance would also be provided for artiste, groups and institutions for participating in international and national festivals.
The CMAT scheme would also extend monetary support to cultural groups or institutions for training and productions in various fields such as theatre, sumang leela, dance, music and visual arts. To nurture the deserving budding artistes of the State, the financial assistance will be provided to the students of Government Dance College, Shree Shree Bal Mukunda Dev Music College, Imphal Art College, Manipur University of Culture.
Acknowledging the achievements of various artistes, the scheme would provide financial assistance to the award winners in the national competition and festivals. Padma Awardees, National Akademi Awardees such as Sangeet Natak Akademi, Sahitya Akademi and Lalit Kala Akademi Awardees, State Kala Akademi Awardees including young awardees will be extended one-time financial support for pursuing their dreams and vision towards preservation and promotion of our culture successfully.
The Chief Minister mentioned that artistes recognised by competent authority of the State Government would also be covered under Chief Ministergi Hakselgi Tengbang (CMHT). Around 1000 artistes would be benefited under CMHT.
Mentioning the achievements of the government in the last three years, Chief Minister said that the Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) has been extended to Manipur. Since May 2017, Meeyamgi Numit and Hill Leaders� Day is being held every month and has met about 34,000 people personally, he added. The government has also initiated Go to Village and Go to Hills mission. Around 3,06,026 beneficiaries have been registered and around 2,15,461 benefits and services have been delivered at their doorsteps. Schemes like CMHT, CMST, Start-up Manipur have been launched for the first time in the State by the government. Till date, around 6.8 lakh individuals have been benefited from CMHT, he added.
