The House assembled at 11.00 am. of Tuesday, the 21st December, 2004 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair.

 MEMBERS  PRESENT:

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, 10 Cabinet Ministers, 1 Minister of State and 44 Elected Members. 

QUESTIONS:                      

(a)       Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 634, asked by
                        Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the eviction of Imphal East District. 

            (b)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) made a reply to Starred Question No. 635, asked by
                        Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the non-submission of Utilisation Certificate.

            (c)       Hon’ble Minister (PHED) made a reply to Starred Question No. 637, asked by
                        Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA regarding the completion of Pallel Water Supply Scheme.

            (d)       Hon’ble Minister (PWD) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 638, asked by
                        Shri N. Sovakiran Singh, MLA regarding the construction of Salungpham IVR. 

            (e)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) made a reply to Starred Question No. 639, asked by
                        Shri Z. Mangaibou, MLA regarding the plan for reconstruction of Barak Bridge. 

            (f)        Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 640, asked by
                        Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA regarding the progress of  Senapati to Phaibung road. 

            (g)       Hon’ble Minister (Commerce & Industries) made a reply to Starred Question No. 641,
                        asked by  Shri M. Nilchandra  Singh, MLA regarding the Manipur Industrial Policy.

             (h)       Hon’ble Minister (RD & PR) made a reply to Starred Question No. 642, asked by
                        Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the development programme of Andro Gram
                        Panchayats. 

            (i)        Hon’ble Minister (PHED) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 643, asked by
                        Shri Y. Mani Singh, MLA on behalf of Shri E. Biramani Singh, MLA regarding the
                        water supply schemes taken up by the department. 

            (j)        Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 644, asked by
                        Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the renovation of Sub Divisional Office, Moirang.

            (k)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 645, asked by
                       Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA on behalf of Shri B.D. Behring, MLA regarding
                       the construction of Old Cachar road. 

            Answer to Starred Question Nos. 633 & 636 were laid on the Table of the House as written answers. 

ZERO  HOUR:

            During Zero Hour, Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA drew the attention of the Commerce & Industries Minister regarding the Moreh Trade Centre which remained deserted for the last four years. He also highlighted the present condition of the Moreh hospital. 

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEES:

            (a)       Shri R.K. Thekho, Member of the Hill Areas Committee on behalf of the Chairman
                        (HAC) presented the First Report of the Committee for the year 2003-2004.

                        He made a brief statement.

                        The House adopted the Report of the Committee. 

            (b)       Shri S. Ibohal Singh, Chairman of Committee on Public Accounts presented the Twenty
                        Sixth Report of the Committee. He made a brief statement.

                        The House adopted the Report of the Committee. 

CALLING ATTENTION:

Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA called the attention of the Revenue Minister on the snatching away of Rs.. 15,27,950 meant for payment to the victims of the natural calamities of Churachandpur. He said that such a trend should be carefully investigated and demanded a clear-cut information of the circumstances leading to the incident. He further sought a detailed report of the case from the Government. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister, replying to the motion, said that the amount was sanctioned by the State Level Natural Calamity Fund and maintained that according to the DC, no such incidents occurred. He informed the House that since a charge had been made, a case had been registered and was presently under investigation of the SP (Crime Branch). 

SHORT  DURATION  DISCUSSION:

            S/Shri M. Nilchandra Singh and O. Joy Singh, MLAs raised a discussion on the kidnapping of three officials of PHED and snatching away of Rs. 15,22,000 by unknown gunmen.           

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA charged the government for not taking immediate steps to rescue the three officials from captivity. Regarding the snatching of a sum of Rs. 15,22,000 he sought a precise clarification from the government. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA expressed concern over the occurrence of such unwanted incidents and said that it required a condemnation of the august House. He maintained that there was apprehension on whether the police were behind the snatching incident. He further sought intelligence report on the matter. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA highlighted the serious trend of kidnapping continuing for the last 2/3 years leading to grave situation. He said that the government shouldn’t remain mere spectators. He further stressed the need to pay serious attention by this august House to prevent future occurrence.

Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA strongly condemned the government for not holding emergency Cabinet meeting to conduct rescue operations. He said that steps should be taken to prevent such act in future. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister replying to the discussion observed that in most cases police was not informed by the victim’s family probably out of fear and as such no action could be taken. The recent abduction of the VC and Registrar of Manipur University was one such case, he said and added that a timely report was necessary to conduct rescue operation. He assured that maximum efforts would be taken up to deal firmly with kidnapping cases and sought the co-operation of the public for this end. 

(The Hon’ble Speaker adjourned the morning session at 1.10 p.m. till 2.10 p.m. of the day.)

(The afternoon session resumed at 2.10 p.m.)  

CONSIDERATION  AND  PASSING  OF  BILL:

(a)       Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved the Manipur Municipality (Second Amendment) Bill, 2004 for consideration. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA taking part in the consideration, wanted the Bill to be referred to a Select Committee for further examination. 

            Shri Th. Devendra Singh, Minister (Law & Legislative Affairs) expressed the need for minute examination of the Bill. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA and Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA endorsed the suggestions of referring it to a Select Committee. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA observed that the Bill appeared to be hastily prepared and expressed the view that it might better be withdrawn. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister, highlighted the urgent need of making amendments to the existing Act in view of various exigencies. He expressed the view that withdrawal of the Bill was not desirable but reference to a Select Committee was acceptable. 

            Hon’ble Speaker, Shri T.N. Haokip gave the ruling that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee for further examination. The Select Committee was constituted by the following members:           

            1.         Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister (Chairman),

            2.         Shri R.K. Dorendra Singh, MLA (Member),

            3.         Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA  (Member),

            4.         Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA  (Member),      

            5.         Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA  (Member),

            6.         Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA  (Member),

            7.         Dr. M. Nara Singh, MLA  (Member),

            8.         Shri W. Brajabidhu Singh, MLA  (Member),

            9.         Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA  (Member); and

            10.       Shri Manga Vaiphei, MLA  (Member). 

            The Speaker, endorsing the view of Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, announced that there would be no term of reference of the Committee and also that the report be completed before the next session.

(b)       Shri P. Parijat Singh, Minister Art & Culture moved the Kangla Fort Bill, 2004 for consideration. Highlighting the historical and cultural importance of the Kangla, he pointed out the urgent need of passing the Bill. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA, participating in the discussion, observed the view of incorporating certain provisions regarding the members of the Kangla Fort Board in the event of the President’s Rule. He further suggested that the Administrative Report be tabled in the House. 

            Shri L. Ibomha Singh, MLA participating in the consideration of the Bill suggested the need of appointing an Executive Officer and Architect in the Kangla Fort Board. He suggested to build monuments of 7 (seven) clans of the Meitei. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA commented that historical monument Acts of other states should also be consulted and incorporated in the present Bill. He endorsed the need to demarcate the exact Kangla Land and also to include the Director, Art & Culture in the Board. He also expressed that misuse of fund should be prevented and a clear and transparent Bill should be enacted. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA participating in the consideration for passing the Kangla Fort Bill, said that he supported the views of all members though certain flaws in the Bill needed to be rectified. He highlighted the need to prevent construction of new structures, preservation of old structures and even sacred trees inside Kangla. 

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA participating in the consideration expressed the desire for increasing the board members. He further suggested for providing a clause in the Bill for private donors for the development of Kangla and that such donors should be exempted from income tax. 

            Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA participating in the consideration endorsed the idea of including the Director, Art & Culture to the Board and also an official of Manipur State Kala Academy. He further suggested shifting of the Assam Rifles High School. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister suggested that Kangla being a property of all the people of Manipur, should have representatives of all communities in the state. He also informed the House that the actual area of Kangla had been reduced due to soil erosion in the eastern side of Kangla. He further endorsed the idea that all rectifications to the Bill could be done later on.  

            Hon’ble Speaker took up the Bill clause by clause for passing. 

            Shri P. Parijat Singh, Minister (Art & Culture) explained that the Art & Culture Department would submit the Administrative Report of the Kangla Fort to the Assembly.  

            The Kangla Fort Bill, 2004 was passed unanimously by the House.   

            The Hon’ble Speaker, adjourned the House at 4.30 pm till 11.00 am of Wednesday, the 22nd December, 2004.