The Manipur Development Society, MDS is an important agency set up in 1982 under the auspices of the Planning Commission of India with the objective of generating employment in Manipur and promoting the State’s economy for all round development of the State’s potential in all spheres. Objectives enshrined in the MoA of MDS are to explore feasible projects that can create employment, provide logistics support and handholding, infrastructural assistance, and most importantly to impart training and awareness to the beneficiaries and stakeholders involved in the projects. These endeavors can be broadly classified into four areas: agriculture (including horticulture and fisheries), handloom, civil infrastructural development and facilitating easy access to markets for the beneficiaries of local producers and entrepreneurs. Soon after its inception, the agency started executing vital projects in the above-mentioned spheres with commendable success.
In addition to executing the projects of funding agencies with their specific requirement, MDS also takes its role of implementing its own schemes seriously in the fields of minor irrigation, agriculture, handloom production and establishing light engineering industries to create tangible economic and social capital.
By dint of the provisions contained in the Memorandum of Association (MoA), the Society is also empowered to take up schemes in fields other than those mentioned above with the prior approval of the Central and State Government.
With full commitment and in good earnest, the Society has been creating additional assets for Rural and Urban Marketing, irrigation system, social and community development and sports. MDS has also been responsible for augmenting many civic amenities in the state. To make such interventions possible and sustainable in the long run, the Society has been soliciting the funding agencies to associate with MDS for the common cause of development. It will not be a farfetched conclusion to say that MDS has created confidence amongst the line departments, funding agencies and the people of people of Manipur in its ability to deliver the projects it has been entrusted with in a time-bound manner.
Organisational structure of Manipur Development Society: General Body of the Society is the governing body of the Society.’
Projects executed by MDS are too many to count. However, it may not be out of place to highlight some of the notable projects. These include MFDC Hall (a Multipurpose Auditorium & Cinema Hall), Tourist Houses and destinations, sports stadiums, National Sports Academy, Cricket Stadium, Chief Secretary’s Residential Bungalow, senior IAS Officers residential flats, Hostels, Food Storage Depots, Nursing Schools, etc. Among the achievements, the construction of BDO offices, Police Outposts, Banks and quarters for banking staff under Tribal Area Inclusive Growth Infrastructure (TAIG) in 27 unbanked blocks in remote hill areas of Manipur is commendable.
With its undisputed and excellent track record in civil works, MDS has also reached out to rural and hilly populace by taking up agriculture and allied activities. MDS also actively aids artisans and craftsmen in the handloom sector by encouraging indigenous fabrics, designs and their participation in national and international fairs.