The House assembled at 11.00 a.m. of Tuesday, the 8th July, 2003 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker, Shri T.N. Haokip in the Chair.

 MEMBERS PRESENT:

             Hon’ble Chief Minister, 25 Cabinet Ministers, Chairman (Hill Areas Committee), Hon’ble Deputy Speaker, 9 Ministers of State and 20 Elected Members.

 ORAL REPLIES WERE GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING STARRED QUESTIONS:

             (a)        In reply to Starred Question No. 289  asked by Shri P.S Henry Paotei, MLA regarding the implementation of  PMGSY scheme, the  Hon`ble Minister ( R.D & Panchayati Raj ) gave a reply.

             (b)        In reply to Starred Question No.298 asked by Shri L.Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the welfare measures/schemes for Rickshaw pullers and their status,  the Hon`ble Minister ( Labour) made a reply.

             (c)        In reply to Starred Question No. 299 asked by  Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA regarding the filling up of posts in  the Directorate of Crafts and Training on contract basis, the Hon`ble Minister (Labour) gave a  reply and it was further supplemented by the Hon’ble Chief Minister. The Hon’ble Speaker, in deference to the opinion of the House, allowed a discussion on this matter under a formal motion.

             (d)        In reply to Starred Question No.300 asked by Shri B.D. Behring, MLA regarding the post creation of APP, the Hon`ble Minister (Law & Legislative Affairs) made a reply.

            (e)        In reply to Starred Question No.301 asked by Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the construction of I.T.I Imphal East, Phaknung, the Hon`ble Minister ( Labour) gave a reply.

             (f)         In reply to Starred Question No 302 asked by Shri D. Shaiza, MLA regarding the tender for augmentation of water supply scheme of Ukhrul under the Non-Lapsable Pool of  Central Resources, the Hon`ble MOS ( P.H.E.D ) made a reply and further supplemented by Hon’ble Minister (PHED).

             (g)        In reply to Starred Question No.303 asked by Shri N. Sovakiran Singh, MLA regarding the construction of Nongpok Sekmai P.H.C. building, the Hon’ble Minister (Health) gave a reply.

             (h)        In reply to Starred Question No.304 asked by Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA, regarding the policy of recent transfer and posting of Teachers, the Hon’ble Minister of Education ( S ) gave a reply.

                      Reply to Starred Question Nos. 305, 306 and Unstarred Question No. 21 was laid on the table of the House as written reply.

 ZERO-HOUR:

             S/Shri L. Ibomcha Singh and Ningthoujam Biren , MLAs raised matters during Zero-Hour. Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA walked out of the House on the ground that the Hon’ble Speaker didn’t take any action against an Officer of the Assembly Secretariat.

 CALLING  ATTENTION:

             (1)        Dr. Nimaichand Luwang and Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLAs called the attention of the Health Minister on the controversy regarding the selection of candidates for MBBS/BDS, 2003.

             Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, M.L.A  made observations that the rules and regulations of the Medical Council of India ( M.C.I ) are mandatory and has to be followed. The recent amendment, notified on June 23, 2003  was legitimate and right as it has been framed in pursuance of the provisions of the Medical Council Act of India, he said. But the rules and regulations laid down by the Medical Council of India was flouted again which might lead to serious repercussions, he said.

             Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA expressed that the issue had now turned from a legal issue to a social issue. He expressed unhappiness over the change of Cabinet decisions and also on the non-compliance of the rules of the Medical Council of India..

             S/Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA and Govindas Konthoujam, Minister ( PHED ) made remarks.

             Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA made comments on the legal implications cropping up. He said that the decision of the Government was a mockery before the public and urged not to repeat such unwise acts in future.

 The morning session was adjourned by the Hon’ble Deputy Speaker at 1.00 p.m till 2.00 p.m. of the day.

(The afternoon session resumed at 2.00 p.m.)

             The Hon’ble Speaker made an announcement that the misunderstanding between Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA and an Officer of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat had been sorted out. He requested the Hon’ble Member to attend the Assembly proceedings forthwith.

             Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA participated in the calling attention motion and expressed regret  over the frequent change in the government stand which lowered its image before the public.

             Shri B.D Behring, MLA observed that the reservation right of ST/SC should be kept intact. He also sought clarification from the Hon`ble Minister (Health) regarding the irregularities in the tabulation and mark sheets.

             Dr. Chaltonlien Amo, Minister (Health) replying to the motion said that rules were amended from time to time to suit the rising requirements and added that the amendments were made in the interest of the general public and other sections. However an exercise had been underway for framing a more permanent rule and regulation, he said. He further made it clear that the concerned Board could be aproached for any kind of complaint.

             Clarifications were made to the queries of Shri B.D Behring and Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLAs.

             (2)               Shri O.Joy Singh, MLA called the attention of the Minister Education (S) on the alarming decline in the performance of the Government School Students in the HSLC examination. He said that Education being the backbone of a good society, special emphasis should be given on promoting it by

             Shri Y. Mani Singh, Minister Education (S) replying to the motion said that several steps had been taken up following the recommendations made by a 7-member departmental committee for streamlining the education system in the state. He also sought the full support and cooperation of all the members and all the section of the society to improve the quality of education in the state.

             He further informed the House that copies of the committee report and the academic calendar would be made available in the House. 

 DISCUSSION ON GOVERNOR`S  ADDRESS :

             Dr, M. Nara Singh, Hon’ble Minister (Sericulture and Art & Culture) supported the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address and observed that only important policies and programmes of the State were highlighted in the Address. The present Government faced a hard and difficult time in solving several issues inherited from past Governments. He mentioned among other things the framing of the State cultural policy which he described as the first of its kind in the whole country.

             Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister replying to the discussion clarified the observations of the members. He strongly supported the Motion of Thanks To Governor’s Address and said that if conducive  atmosphere prevailed and positive gestures from the underground organisation(s) operating in Manipur for peaceful negotiations were forthcoming, the State Government would be ready to declare a cease- fire. On the question of the withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers Act) 1958 as desired by all sections of the people and also from the humanitarian angle of Km. Irom Sharmila, he had apprised the Centre on the possibility of lifting the Act on trial basis from some pockets of Imphal East, he added. He said that steps would be taken to provide employment to the surrendered youths and meritorious sportspersons as first and second priority. The present accumulated financial burden faced by Manipur Government was not a new phenomenon but it was an unfortunate legacy of the previous governments, he reiterated. Refuting the Opposition charges that the state had been surviving on Wage and Means allocation from the central Government, he said that other Indian States were also seeking similar financial assistance from the Centre. He objected to the statement of some of the MLAs that the state was surviving by begging from the centre. On the charges of the Opposition regarding the violation of MOU, he asserted that his Government was doing its best to fulfil the norms of the MOU, by correcting its violations committed in the past. Constructive suggestions from the Opposition was welcomed but there was no need to amend the Governor`s Address, he further said. He also made clarifications on the development of Loktak Lake, SSA scheme, PMGSY scheme and Census of the state. He further appealed the Members to withdraw the amendments and pass the Motion of thanks to the Governor`s Address.

             Further clarifications were made by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri O. Ibobi Singh.

             Regarding the issue of the alleged mark tampering, it was agreed that the Hon’ble Minister  (Health) would give a statement on the issue.

            After the withdrawal of all the amendments, the House passed the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address unanimously.

      Hon’ble Speaker adjourned the House at 5.35 p.m. till 11.00 a.m. of Thursday, the 10th July, 2003.