IMPHAL, Sept 25 - Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale arrived here today on a two-day visit to Manipur. The Union minister later chaired a review meeting at the Old Secretariat conference hall here. Manipur Social Welfare Minister Nemcha Kipgen was also present in the meeting.
Various issues including release of funds under the special component plan to the SC community in Manipur, release of scholarships for SC applicants, inter-caste marriages, residential schools for SC students, schemes for old age homes and old age pension, schemes for empowerment of persons with disabilities and manual scavengers and other schemes for the welfare of SC/ST communities in Manipur were discussed.
Later, briefing media persons, Athawale assured that he would consider all the issues discussed and take early action. Kipgen thanked the Union minister for his interest in the people of Manipur, especially the weaker sections and persons with disabilities.
Swachh Survekshan: Manipur can improve its ranking in Swachh Survekshan-2020 through scientific disposal of waste, stated the Joint Secretary and Mission Director (Swachh Bharat Mission) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs VK Jindal while addressing the inaugural function of the Swachh Survekshan-2020 regional workshop in Imphal on Wednesday.
The Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD) Department organised the workshop to highlight the objectives of Swachh Survekshan-2020. It was attended by MAHUD Commissioner M Joy Singh, its Director Th Harikumar Singh and team leaders Sanghamitra Bhattacharya and Nivedita Malhotra of the Quality Council of India.
Jindal called for declaration of a part of Imphal as free from plastic carry bags. He also suggested necessary facilities, including government schemes, should be made available to municipal workers.
