<span style="color: #222222;">Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh requested the Central Government to allocate a topographical need-based budget during the implementation of development projects in the North East region and stressed on the requirement of alternative livelihood means for poppy plantation farmers.<br />''<br />''Speaking at the interaction between officials of the State Governments of North Eastern Region and the Central Government held in Guwahati today, Mr Biren said that mass deforestation has been done in hill districts of Manipur for poppy plantation. The situation could be analyzed by the officials of the Centre through aerial survey. <br />''<br />''He said that the State Government has already submitted a report to the Centre on the situation and requested an alternative means of livelihood for poppy plantation farmers.<br />''<br />''The Manipur Chief Minister further said that more funding is required for development projects in hilly areas compared to the valley districts. Therefore, allocation of development budget on topographical need-based is required in North Eastern states.<br />''<br />''The Chief Ministers of North Eastern states and several Union Ministers attended the interaction programme. </span><br />