Imphal, September 22, 2017 (DIPR): With the primary objective to conserve the paddy land and wetland and to promote growth of agriculture sector in the State, Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh stated that the State Government has decided to hold any process for conversion or reclamation of paddy land pending finalisation of the Data Bank with details of paddy land and wetland prepared with the help of digitised cadastral maps by the Government. This was stated at the press conference held at the Cabinet Hall of Chief Minister’s Secretariat today.
Speaking at the press conference, Shri N. Biren Singh mentioned that with a view to check such illegal conversions, a Data Bank with details of paddy land along with the survey numbers will be prepared with the help of cadastral maps combined with satellite images of paddy land in a month’s time with the help of MARSAC. Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014 was implemented in the State with effect from 10th September 2014. He stated that any unauthorised conversion of lands for buildings and commercial uses continues to take place in violation of the Act.
Shri N. Biren Singh said that violations if any detected on the basis of such digital maps will be detected and penalised as per provisions of the Act. The government has also directed Deputy Commissioners of all districts to comply with the above decision strictly and ensure that no conversion or reclamation of paddy land and wetland is allowed until further instructions, he added.
Earlier, the State Cabinet has already approved the proposal for putting on hold any process for conversion or reclamation of paddy land and wetland prepared with the help of digitised cadastral maps.
Replying to a query on the death of Pravish Chanam in Noida, Chief Minister stated that it is indeed very sad and the State Government is taking the matter seriously. He stated that ADGP (Intelligence) Shri Pramod Asthana has been deputed to get factual information from the UP government regarding the suspicious death of Pravish Chanam. Regarding the matter, he said that he had already talked with the UP Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath over the telephone. He further stated that the State government would ask the UP government to conduct the investigation of the mysterious death of the student to an independent body like CBI.
Mentioning about the apprehension of Rohingya Muslims trying to enter the state by crossing the border illegally, Chief Minister said that the government has taken stringent measures to tackle the issue. He further stated that the State government has already issued an alert to strengthen security along Indo-Myanmar border to prevent the influx of the Rohingya and other illegal migrants. He mentioned that police has been conducting massive drive to identify immigrants in the border areas like Behiang, Jiribam and Moreh. Police have intensified their drive by conducting door to door identification drives such as identification and verification of Aadhaar card and voter card of various households in the border areas. Permanent police stations would be opened in Behiang and Jiri Mukh area soon. 1211 houses have been screened in Jiribam area and 265 people have been identified as suspicious. Out of those 265 people, 107 people have been deported, he added.
