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VISION 2022 – TENGNOUPAL DISTRICT GENERAL STRATEGIES

Contents:

1. Starting Point 2 a. Introduction 2 b. Economic, Social and Demographic Profile 3 2. Path to Progress 4 a. Structural Transformation 4 b. Infrastructure, Trade and Commerce 5 c. Social Sector 7 d. Police and Security 10 e. Tourism 11 3. Conclusion 12

Kh. Raghumani Singh, IAS Deputy Commissioner, Tengnoupal () 2

Starting Point

Introduction:

Tengnoupal is one of the 16 districts of Manipur state in North East . The area covered under its present jurisdiction was part of Tengnoupal district, formed in 1974. However, later the district HQ was shifted to Chandel and district was also renamed as Chandel. Recently, in 2016, Tengnoupal was carved out of comprising Tengnoupal, Machi and Moreh sub-divisions.

 Tengnoupal - Tengnoupal is a beautiful town at the highest point of a road (NH-39) between and northwestern Myanmar (Burma); the ASEAN Highway passes through the town. The climate is cold all throughout the year and remains foggy during the rainy season. The town, with a hill top sub-divisional HQ, is a perfect getaway for nature lovers and has a potential to become one of the top tourist hub in the North-Eastern region of India.  Moreh - Moreh is a town located on the India-Myanmar border in the Tengnoupal district of the Indian state of Manipur. The town is mainly inhabited by Kuki tribes and a sizeable number of Tamil, Nepali, Meitei, Punjabi, Telugu, Bihari, Marwari and Muslim Pangals. Moreh plays a very important role in connection with the India-Myanmar relationship and is also a rapidly developing trade point in India on the border with Myanmar, with the city of Tamu on the other side of the border. Moreh is already a huge commercial hub, and economists suggested that it could become a bustling city in the next couple of decades. The town is already seen as the commercial capital of Manipur and India's Gateway to South-East Asia. The Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Moreh connects India to Kalewa in Myanmar's Sagaing Division. The highway on the Myanmar side is intended to run up to Mandalay but it is in bad shape and it is hoped that the rail link to Moreh will eventually be connected to the Myanmar railway system, allowing onward connectivity to Thailand and China.  Machi - It is situated on the northern side of the District bordering and Ukhrul Districts of Manipur.The Machi Sub Division is inhabited by different tribes: Maring, Kuki, Zou, Tangkhul, Tarou, Agriculture is the main occupation of the people. The people grows different kind of horticultural plants like banana, lemon, ginger etc. The people of Machi Sub Division are hardworking and they are the chief suppliers of horticultural products and vegetables besides broom grass and handicraft products to nearby market of Thoubal, Wangjing and bazaars.

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Demographic,Economic, and Social Profile:

As per Census 2011, the relevant statistics of the 3 sub-divisions of Tengnoupal district are as follows. (Since Moreh is a relatively new sub-division, its data is combined with Tengnoupal sub-division).

S. No. Name of Sub-division Population Sex Ratio Child Sex Ratio Literacy Rate

1. Machi 17087 980 896 59.65 2. Tengnoupal 31762 931 954 70.51

The district has negligible presence of Scheduled castes population as it constitutes only 0.37 per cent of the total population. The district is predominantly inhabited by scheduled tribes population as it constitutes 88.97 per cent of the total population. At the sub-district level, it can be seen that only 450 and 10 persons are found residing in Tengnoupal and Machi sub-district from scheduled castes. On the contrary, majority of the population of the district belongs to the Scheduled Tribes. The percentage of scheduled tribes population to total population is more than92 per cent in all the sub-district except Tengnoupal where it is 77 per cent. Even in this sub-district scheduled tribes population in rural areas is significant being 92.62 per cent as against56.24 per cent in urban areas.

The literacy rate of district as a whole is 66.71 per cent. Among the sub-districts, literacy rate in Tengnoupal subdistrictis 70.51 whereas Machi sub-division has the lowest literacy rate of 59.65 per cent. The gap between male- female literates among the sub-districts is 15.59, 14.37per cent respectively in Tengnoupal and Machi sub-division. A glance at the census data indicates that among sub districts, Machi has the highest percentage of total workers at 63.55 per cent out of which 64.30 are male sand 62.79 per cent are females workers. The highest percentage of main workers is recorded in Machi at38.74 in which share of males and females main workers is 43.31 and 34.07 per cent respectively. The proportion of marginal workers is also highest in Machi as well at 24.82 per cent comprising of 21.00 males and 28.72 per cent females. The proportion of female marginal workers is higher than the male marginal workers in all the sub-division, highest in Machi at28.72 whereas proportion of male main workers is highest in Tengnoupal sub-division at 47.99 per cent. The bulk of the workforce is engaged in cultivation in which share of females cultivators is higher than males cultivators. In the economic categories of agricultural labourers and household industry females workers out numbered males. But in the category of other workers the proportion of males workers is higher than the females. At the subdistrict level, Machi has the highest proportion of cultivators 62.13 per cent.

Moreover, Moreh plays a key role in the development of economy of the state. There are 40 tradable items under the Barter Trade mechanism through Moreh (India-Myanmar Border). 4

Major exports include cement, engineering goods, transport equipment, motor cycles, iron and steels, medicine, chemicals and allied products, cotton yarn, etc. The major items now imported from Myanmar through barter mechanism are betel nuts, turmeric, red kidney beans (Rajma), kuth roots, gram, resin, dry ginger, etc. The volume of trade at Moreh-Tamu Border Point in 2001-02 was ` 95.48 million and in 2009-10 ` 298.19 million - an average increase of 39% p.a. Further, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India has also cleared the operational of "Normal Trade" through Land Customs Station, Moreh.

India’s "Act East" Policy and several new measures taken by both the Central and State Governments to promote and enhance trade link with SE Asia, provide Manipur with a competitive advantage. In recognition of the potential of Moreh, the Government of India has notified an ICP at Moreh.The proposed ICP will facilitate speedy movement of export-import consignments and reduce any inconvenience to the general public from any increase in trade from India’s Look East Policy. The state government has identified 18.41 hectares (45.50 acres) of land near Gate No.1 within Customs notified area. RITES, a Central Public Sector undertaking have prepared a DPR for Moreh ICP costing ` 136 crores and is under the process of implementation.

The proposed center shall have (i) Immigration Department, (ii) local Police including Women Constables for immediate security, (iii) Land Customs Department, (iv) Customs Preventive Department, (v) Forests, (vi) Narcotics & Drug Control Department, (vii) Postal Department, (viii) Bank Counter, (ix) Telecom, (x) Animal Quarantine, (xi) Plant Quarantine, (xii) Quality Certification Inspection Agencies/Export Promotion Councils, (xiii) Trade Facilitation Counter and Trade related Public Bodies, (xiv) Food Testing Lab, (xv) Truck Parking facility, (xvi) Staff Quarters, basic amenities such as Canteen, Truck Drivers’ Rest House, etc.

Path to Progress

Structural Transformation:

Acceleration in the growth process in the region requires changes in the structure of the economies of the district. The growth rates need to catch up with rest of the country. In most of the cases, income from public administration and government services constitutes a major source and the Government Sector dominates the economy. Acceleration in economic growth will have to come from agriculture, manufacturing and non-government service sectors. This calls for significant changes in the development strategy followed so far, and the creation of an enabling environment for private investment in productive sectors.

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Infrastructure, Trade and Commerce:

Tengnoupal district, due to its strategic location, is in a critical position to be a hub of trade and commerce linking India with the South East Asian nations which is also the reason why Moreh is often touted as a crucial component of India’s Act East Policy. As a result, it is also likely to be the hub of all developmental activities in the state in general and the district in particular.

Since the district is newly formed, it lacks the basic infrastructure required for district level administration such as a Mini Secretariat that will include offices for the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Officers and other District Level Officers including government accommodation and guest houses for the staff.

Towards the fulfilment of Moreh’s potential as trade and connectivity hub, one of the most important projects taken up in the district is the expansion of national highway (NH-39) converting it to Asian Highway (AH – 1). As per the current status, land compensation for the 2nd package part is to be disbursed within a time frame of 2 months, after which tender process will be started and finalisation of the same will be done. The vision of growth and development cannot be realised without providing the region with world-class infrastructure and building a network of connectivity. Improving connectivity is the most important measure for the resurgence of the district as a link with the South East Asian countries. Good transportation networks are necessary to inter-link potential growth centres, promote tourism, connect to border trade points and support economic, social and security needs. Here comes the real importance of Infrastructure and connectivity which could support the Act East Policy and provide an impetus to trade with the Eastern neighbours of India. It is important to note that the NER shares 98 per cent of its borders with the neighbouring countries of Bhutan, Nepal, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar and the Act East Policy focus on the region can help it to access the markets in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Indeed, there is considerable potential for the policy to benefit the region but that would call for a qualitative change in the relationship with the neighbouring countries, particularly the larger countries of Bangladesh, China and Myanmar. Given that the fortune of over 38 million people depends on good neighbourliness, the bureaucratic and defence-dominated approach to relationships must give way to the one based on mutual economic gain. Thus, a qualitative change in the relationship is necessary to improve connectivity, To this end, it is important to build bridges – diplomatic and infrastructural. Therefore, since the late 1990s, India has taken a number of measures to expand its trade with East Asia. Apart from economic and trade-related factors, closer links with Myanmar are crucial to the issue of controlling insurgency in the NER States. On the other hand, China is an economic hotspot in the world today and needs to be factored into India’s economic and foreign policies. Despite improvements in infrastructure linkages at points like Moreh, very little trade benefits seem to accrue to the NER States. This is probably due to the fact that 6

existing trade agreements (like the one with Myanmar) are restrictive towards trade in agricultural products. As of 2012, all freight traffic from Asia to Europe goes by sea. The proposed Trans-Asian Railway which connects Yunnan in China and Thailand with Europe via Turkey and passes through India, will enable containers from Singapore, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Korea to travel over land by train to Europe. There is a general understanding between India and Myanmar that their railways will be interconnected via a 346-km line section that will extend from Kalay in Myanmar to in India via the border point at Tamu/Moreh, India.The proposed route will enter India through Tamu and Moreh, then enter Bangladesh through Mahisasan and Shahbajpur and again enter India from Bangladesh at Gede. India's Ministry of Railway has also approved the Tupul/Imphal railway line to Moreh, India/Tamu, Burma. In the ICP (Integrated Custom Post) at Moreh, on the spot visa facilitation centre should be opened till 2020 which will drastically reduce the illegal entry of foreigners. Moreover, a bus service should also be started up to Kalemeau with on arrival visa facilities. GST registration of all traders in Moreh is also planned to be completed at the earliest which would help the state to earn more revenue and bring more stability to the prices of relevant goods. Logistics Park at Moreh- Freight movement in India has doubled to ~2,300 Bn Ton Km in FY15, from ~ 1,200 Bn from FY-08. Freight movement in the country is expected to continue its growth trajectory, with an expected annual growth rate of 8-10% over the next ten years. With this expected growth in freight movement in the country, there is a need to focus on improving the logistics efficiency to reduce the overall cost and time of the freight movement in India. Acknowledging the importance for inter-modality in transportation, the Hon’ble Finance Minister made the following remarks in his Budget 2017-18 speech: “An effective multi-modal logistics and transport sector will make our economy more competitive. A specific program for development of multi-modal logistics parks, together with multi modal transport facilities, will be drawn up and implemented” The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has decided to develop multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs) to address the aforementioned issues and to improve the logistics efficiency in the country.A Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MLP) is basically as a multi-modal freight-handling facility with a minimum area of 100 acres comprising mechanized warehouses, specialized storage solutions such as cold storage, facilities for mechanized material handling and inter-modal transfers container terminals, bulk / break-bulk cargo terminals. In addition, a Multi Modal Logistics Park is expected to provide value added services such as customs clearance, provisions for late stage processing activities such as sorting / grading and cold chain, aggregation / disaggregation, etc. to handle freight. Multimodal logistics parks are expected to provide following key services as explained below: a. Freight aggregation and distribution b. Multimodal freight transportation c. Storage and Warehousing 7

d. Value added services This is also expected to lead to reduction in inventory holding costs and reduction in freight transportation lead times. Moreh fulfills all the above conditions laid down in the guideline and is therefore a suitable site for the project. The process of identification and acquisition of land for this purpose has also started.

Social Sector:

Poverty alleviation: The vision of the people is to banish poverty from the district by 2022. Empowering people with capabilities ensures they receive adequate food, clothing and shelter so that every family is free from hunger, leads a healthy life and participates productively in the growth process. This, too, requires a structural change in the region from government-dominated economies and economic structures shaped by planning from above, to those based on participatory planning with private sector participation in the growth process. The eradication of poverty, inequality and deprivation in democratic India should invariably be addressed in a participative, holistic manner reflecting the letter and spirit of the provisions.

This will ensure grassroots development through democracy in a people-oriented and people-centric manner, with community supervision and people’s control over the provision of basic services and public goods. Such assured access to entitlements is the surest path to poverty eradication, especially when livelihood sustenance is dependent on sustained and sustainable development initiatives at the village level. The need for a thorough and comprehensive study of the profile of poverty in the district is emphasized to lay the ground for an effective time-bound strategy of eradicating poverty. Such a survey must capture the multiple deprivations of the people which are inter-related but distinct, with the conviction that an in-depth analysis on these dimensions can alone help to understand the living conditions of the poor.

Education: Since Tengnoupal is a newly formed district, the Zonal Education Office is not fully functional and this has had a negative impact on the performance of various centrally sponsored schemes like SSA, RMSA. It has been proposed to establish ten new schools in the remote areas and GPS monitoring of some locations has also been completed by the Zonal Education office. At present, there are two KGBV (Langol and Aimol Khullen), one residential school and one Ekalavya Model School (Moreh). Since Tengnoupal district has no Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and Kendriya Vidyalaya schools, one JNV and two KV schools have also been proposed. The private aided college in Moreh should be upgraded to the status of a Government College. Similar upgradation of certain schools to the status of higher secondary schools is also urgently required. This upgradation, wherever possible, should be as a model school with state of the art facilities. Some of the existing schools in the district also need internet connection. Further, the district also needs setting up of a DIET (District Institute for Education and Training) and a vocational training institute. Another institution for skill development is also needed for the new district. 8

Health: Recent formation of the Tengnoupal district has called for the setting up of extensive new medical infrastructure. A district level hospital is required with facilities for services like obgyn, surgery, minor ailments etc. The condition of existing primary health centres and sub centres also needs to be improved. An inventory of vaccines, testing equipment and emergency medicines should be maintained with a mobile medical van so that health care and treatment can be provided timely in emergency cases.

District Master Action Plan 2017-2022 of Medical and Health Department, Tengnoupal District:

Sl No Name of Proposed work action along Timeline for Financial implication Department with location complition with proposed source of funding 1 Medical and Renovation & extension of all 6 Months 30 Lakhs (Approx.) Health building for temporary CMO (as early as Special packages from Department office posible) GOI 2 -do- Renovation & Repairing of 6 Months 20 Lakhs (Approx.) existing buliding of PHC, (as early as Special packages from Tengnoupal and barrack type posible) GOI staff quarter. 3 -do- Construction of wall or Fencing Within 1 year 10 Lakhs (5 lakh each around the health centre i.e. Approx.) Special PHC, Tengnoupal & PHC RRC. packages from GOI 4 -do- Repairing of PHC RRC Within 1 year 10 Lakhs ( Approx.) Special packages from GOI 5 -do- Repairing of PHC Moreh Within 1 year 10 Lakhs ( Approx.) Special packages from GOI 6 -do- Prepairing of PHSCs Aimol Within 1 year 40 Lakhs (5 lakh each Tampak, Saivom, Leibi, Sita, Approx.) Special Lokchao, Kwatha, Yangoulen, packages from GOI New Somtal. 7 -do- Construction of PHSC Within 1 year 10 Lakhs ( Approx.) T.Bongmol(no building at Special packages from present) at the site given by GOI local authority. 8 -do- Construction of CMO office 5 years (within 500 Lakhs ( Approx.) complex (DLOs & District Health 2022) Special packages from Mission) at the site give by local GOI authority. 9 -do- Construction 50 or 100 bedded 5 years (within 2,500 Lakhs ( Approx.) at the site given by local 2022) Special packages from authority. GOI 9

10 -do- Construction of building for 5 years (within 500 Lakhs ( Approx.) nursing school near the 2022) Special packages from proposed district hospital GOI 11 -do- Construction of staff quarters 5 years (within 300 Lakhs ( Approx.) near the proposed district 2022) Special packages from hospital, Tengnoupal and Moreh GOI hospital. Total Amount Rs.3930.00 lakhs

Power:

In order to increase revenue collection from power and to enhance the outreach of power supply to even the remotest of the villages, the process of installation of prepaid energy meters in Moreh Town, Tengnoupal District HQ, villages nearby Pallel and the rest of the substantially populated areas has started. Moreover, naked wires are being replaced with insulated AB cables to prevent theft and for safety purposes. The number of tranformers is also proposed to be increased to cater to the rising load demand. Through all these measures and by careful monitoring, it is expected that the government will be able to provide power supply to all the unelectrified villages in the district.

Drinking Water:

Water supply status and cost estimate of various water supply schemes of Tengnoupal District

Division : Tengnoupal PHE Division

I. NRDWP (Centre)

S. No. Name of Sub-division No. of Gram Panchayats/Wards Estimated Cost (in crores) 1. Tengnoupal 63 151.71 2. Moreh 65 13.79 3. Moreh (Town) 5 21.04 4. Machi 74 35.20 Total 221.74

Town Planning (Moreh):

The road connectivity between Imphal and Tamu through the heart of Moreh town needs expansion to a double lane with focus on town planning. Internal town road needs expansion specially the approach road to Namphalong market. All the roads/lanes need proper pucca drainage with provision of street lights for the town, esp. at AH-1 from Chikim village to Moreh Gate No. 1 and along the police station to the approach road to Namphalong market. 10

Police and Security:

Being a district having long stretch of porous border with Myanmar and keeping in mind the presence of several insurgent organizations in the area, it is very crucial to develop the capacities of police department in the district so as to provide a safe and secure environment for the development of the people.

The district is divided into three sub-divisions, viz., Moreh, Tengnoupal and Machi. At present there are three police stations located at Moreh, Tengnoupal and Machi, to look after the law and order situation as well as provide support to the District Administration. The Tengnoupal Police Department is headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP) with the District Police HQ located at Tengnoupal, aided by one Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. SP-OPS) and one Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) whose offices are both located at Moreh. There are many difficulties and infrastructure problems faced by the Police Department at present. Border fencing – In order to maintain law and order, it is necessary that border fencing is completed along the settlement area of both Moreh and Namphalong border pillars. The following Vision Note 2022 is being envisaged for improving the functioning of the Police Department.

1. Police Infrastructure Development. By 2022, it is targeted to complete the District Police headquarter at Tengnoupal District. The land and location has already been identified for this project. Moreover,all the existing police stations and offices are expected to be revamped and expanded in tune with the time. The other important infrastructure targets are as follows: a. Additional Superintendent of Police Office at Moreh b. SDPO-cum-Immigration Office at Moreh (Projected). c. New Women Police Station at Moreh. (Projected) d. Officers’ residential quarters at Moreh,Tengnoupal and Machi. e. New Barracks at Moreh, Tengnoupal and Machi Police Station. f. Proper fencing of all the Police Station in the District.

2. Women Police Station It is targeted to have a separate Women Police Station at Moreh by 2022 in view of the rise in crime against women and children. The Women Police Station will be equipped with sufficient manpower to cater to the need of women and children in the whole district.

3. New Police Station 11

As desires by the Union Home Minister, it is expected that more police stations would be created close to the Indo-Myanmar border. In this regard, four to five strategic locations have been identified for opening of new Police Station namely. i. Kampang Khullen ii. Narum iii. C. Tengnoupal iv. Kwatha v. Saibol

4. Traffic control Police unit. By 2022,it is expected that the traffic flow would multiply by a triple fold, hence there is a target to set up separate Traffic Control Unit and Traffic at Tengnoupal and Moreh by 2022.

5. Police Guest House. At present there is only one Police Guest House at Moreh with six (6) rooms including two VIP rooms available. By 2022, there is a target to expand the present Guest House and increase the number of rooms available.

6. Police vehicles. All police stations and units including the Women Police Station and traffic control police unit and officers to be provided with new vehicles considering the difficult hill terrain of the district by 2022. The Police vehicles should be fitted with modern Police gadgets and medical kits for any emergency. There is also need to provide one bullet proof vehicle each to all police stations considering the prevailing law and order situation in the Indo-Myanmar border.

Tourism:

There is immense potential for the district to be a tourism hub because of its location and climate. Less than 2 hours away from the Imphal airport and connected by the proposed Asian Highway, the district HQ is a hill station with a pleasant cool climate and a great place for nature lovers with its rains picturesque view of the hills. On a clear day, even the Kabaw valley of Myanmar can be seen. It also provides opportunities for adventure tourism with activities like trekking, ropeways, rafting, camping etc. At the same time, Moreh presents a different avenue of interest to the tourists with a chance to witness a glimpse into the life inside the territory of India’s eastern neighbor, Myanmar without any hassles of passports or visas. It is also famous for its ever bustling popular market where tourists can get several goods and artifacts from both sides of the border at competitive prices.

However, in order to tap this tourism potential, it will be necessary to provide good facilities of accommodation and food to the tourists. For this, construction of good quality hotels needs to be encouraged and an overall secure environment should also be promoted for the 12

incoming tourists. A project for the development of a Cultural Centre in Moreh has been proposed as a part of the Imphal--Khongjom-Moreh tourism circuit. The land acquisition for this centre is under process and likely to be completed within 6 months. Once the land acquisition is complete, it will become very easy to hold cultural exchange programmes with India’s South East Asian neighbours including Singapore, which will provide a positive feedback in the overall development process within not only the district but entire north eastern region.

Conclusion

Tengnoupal, being a newly created district, lacks basic infrastructure facilities and facesacute manpower and funds shortage.Also, theAsian Highway passes through the district that connects India with South East Asian Countries and therefore plays a crucial role in the success of India’s ‘Act East Policy’. In light of the strategic location of the district and its immense potential for development of the adjoining region, it is very important for the government to put special emphasis on investing in the basic infrastructure in the district like roads, telecom and internet connectivity and basic health and medical services to the people. At the same time, an enabling environment needs to be created to encourage the private sector and thus provide alternative employment opportunities to the people which will not only prevent them from indulging in illegal activities like smuggling, insurgency etc. but also strive towards developing in a peaceful and cooperative manner, keeping all communities together in the process of development and thus acting as a role model for the entire country.