Imphal, 07 Oct 2019 ( Evening News) : Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren has assured to urge Union Home Minister Amit Shah to add a special protective clause for Manipur while implementing Citizenship Amendment Bill when the Union Minister visits the state to grace the upcoming Sangai Festival 2019 as the Chief Guest. He stated the same to media in an exclusive press meet held at Chief Minister's Secretariat today. Responding to Impact News Query about the recent declaration of granting a special provision for the states of Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in relation to CAB, Chief Minister Biren expressed firm belief that the special provision will be granted not only for the three States but for all the North East States. While, responding to Impact News Query on the plights facing MSPDCL due to non-payment of electricity bills by various Government Departments, Chief Minister N. Biren asserted that the issue will be tabled in the Cabinet to ensure that the pending electricity bills are paid at least in instalments at the earliest.

Speaking to media, Chief Minister Biren asserted that the Government has taken steps to make Shirui and Sangai Festivals plastic free. He stated that Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel will inaugurate the Shirui Festival on October 16 and added that an American rock band will perform during the festival. Biren assured that outsiders attending the Shirui Lily festival will be provided bus service from Imphal International Airport till Ukhrul. Chief Minister Biren also disclosed like last year's Japanese Sumo wrestling demonstration, Thailand’s Muai Thai will be demonstrated in the upcoming Sangai festival.  He appealed to organisations of the state not to impose any bandhs or blockades during the festival which aims to promote State tourism to boost income.  The Chief Minister said, every issues can be resolved amicably through dialogues.

Financial assistance continues to pour in for the upcoming Sangai and Shirui festivals.  Public Health Engineering Department Contractors Association has presented 1 lakh rupees financial assistance to the Tourism Department. Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren received the amount for the department today. Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Biren appreciated Public Health Engineering Department Contractors Association for its continual support for various events in the state. He hoped that others will offer assistance too.