The House assembled at 11.00 am. of Wednesday, the 22nd 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 Chief Minister gave a reply to Starred Question No. 646, asked by Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the expenditure on Prime Ministers visit.

           (b)       Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 647, asked by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the shifting of Moirang Sub Treasury Office from Imphal to Moirang                        

           (c)       Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 648, asked by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the payment of ex-gratia.

           (d)       Hon’ble Minister (FCS) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 649, asked by Shri E. Biramani Singh, MLA regarding the marginal money in FCS Department.

           (e)       Hon’ble Minister (Education) made a reply to Starred Question No. 650, asked by Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA regarding the part time lecturers in Government Higher Secondary Schools.

           (f)        Hon’ble Minister (Education) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 651 asked by  Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA regarding the number of persons appointed under die-in-harness scheme in the Education Department.

           (g)       Hon’ble Minister (FCS) made a reply to Starred Question No. 652, asked by  Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the monthly quota of sugar.

           (h)       Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 653, asked by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA on behalf of Shri B.D. Behring, MLA regarding the absorption of MSRTC employees to Home Department.

            (i)        Hon’ble Minister (Transport) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 654, asked by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the collection of Transport revenues.

           (j)        Hon’ble Chief Minister gave a reply to Starred Question No. 655, asked by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the security at UBI, Moirang Branch.

           (k)       Hon’ble Minister (Forest & Environment) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 656, asked by Shri S, Chandra Singh MLA regarding jhum cultivation.

 SHORT NOTICE QUESTIONS:

           (a)       Hon’ble Chief Minister gave a reply to Short Notice Question No. 2 asked by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the submission of the report by the Commission of Inquiry Authority.

           (b)       Hon;ble Chief Minister made a reply to Short Notice Question No.3 asked by Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA regarding the progress of FIR of R.K. Sanajaoba.

              Answer to Unstarred Question No. 50 was laid on the Table of the House as written answer.

 ZERO HOUR:

            During Zero Hour, Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA drew the attention of the Chief Minister regarding the implementation of the Special Employment Generation Programme for the SC/ST and for providing banking facilities.

             Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA drew the attention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister and Works Minister and highlighted the present condition of the Imphal Kangchup Road which needs immediate attention.

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA drew the attention of the FCS Minister on the irregular distribution of AAY rice.

RAISING  OF  A  POINT  OF  ORDER:

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA raised a point of order regarding some procedural defects relating to a Private Member’s Resolution listed in  the day’s business.

            The Hon’ble Speaker made an observation that he would look into the matter and regularise it.

ANNOUNCEMENT  BY  THE  SPEAKER:

            The Hon’ble Speaker read out the leave application of Hon’ble MLA, Shri Thangminlien Kipgen with effect from 17th up to 23rd December, 2004 on account of the demise of his wife.

            The House granted leave. 

PRESENTATION  OF  REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE:

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister and Chairman of the Enquiry Committee of the House to investigate the illegal allotment of Shops/Stalls at Linthoingambi Bazar (New Market) and some other areas, 2003 presented the Report of the Committee.

            The House adopted the Report of the Committee.

CALLING  ATTENTION:

(a)       Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA called the attention of the Health Minister on the purchase of materials from R.S. Company, Delhi by the Medical Directorate of Manipur.

            Quoting newspaper reports, Shri O. Joy Singh said that the Medical Directorate of Manipur placed Orders with the R.S Company, Delhi, for supply of medical items involving several lakhs of rupees and added that supply of items not placed in the Order was also made. He wanted the Health Minister to clarify on the legal notice served by the firm for nonpayment of bills and also on the suspicion of misappropriation of fund in the purchase of medical materials.

           Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA, questioned the Minister whether any tender had been floated or all the items had been received from the Ms. R.S. Company. He enquired how much amount had been paid to the Company along with outstanding dues.

           (The Hon’ble Chairman, Shri Erabot Yumkham adjourned the morning session at 12.55 p.m. till
2.00 p.m. of the day.)

          (The afternoon session resumed at 2.00 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker in the chair.)

          Shri L. Nandakumar Singh, Health Minister, clarified that supply orders had been placed with many firms including local firms apart from Ms. R.S. Company, Delhi. He said that tender was not floated because of some ground realities. He informed the House that no payment was made for items not received by the department and that there were some cases of cancellation of supply order on the expiry of the time frame.

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA wanted that lists of items procured or cancelled and record on the payment of bills be tabled in the House.

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA pressed that the relevant files be tabled on the House.

            The Health Minister said that the relevant documents could be examined in the Chamber of the Speaker.

(b)       Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA called the attention of the Works Minister on non-completion of culvert works at Sekmaijin to Khordak Road.

             He observed that the road was in a pathetic condition with culvert construction works being discontinued.

            Md. Allauddin Khan, Minister of State (RD & PR) replied that the road along with culverts was constructed under PMGSY and added that the construction would be completed by March, 2005. In reply to a query by Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA the Minister said that no payment for the particular work was made.

SHORT DURATION DISCUSSION:

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA raised a discussion on the development of Indo-Myanmar trade relations.

            He stressed the need for infrastructure development to take full advantage of the trade. He suggested constitution of a Sub-Committee to look into this matter.

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA observed that in view of the sea change in the world order in terms of global trade, the State Government should prepare for such developments.

            Shri N. Mangi Singh, Minister (Commerce & Industries) clarifying to the discussion, informed that police check post on the Moreh route would be regularised to ease the burden on traders, and further highlighted various new steps taken up by the government to improve the Indo-Myammar Trade in consonance with the “Look East Policy” of the Central government. He further informed the House that regular seminars would be organised to create awareness among the people about the new trade policy.

CONSIDERATION  AND  PASSING  OF  GOVERNMENT  BILLS:

(a)       Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved the Manipur Ceiling on Government Guarantee Bill, 2004 for consideration.

            S/Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, L. Ibomcha Singh, M. Bhorot Singh, MLAs while welcoming the Bill observed that certain rectifications would be required.

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister clarifying to the certain observations made by the Members said that the Bill was needed to provide for ceiling on government guarantees.   He also informed the
House that the Ceiling limit would not exceed thrice the state’s total annual revenue receipts and one percent of the loan amount would be charged as guarantee commission. He further said that all loopholes would be looked into.

            Hon’ble Chairman, Shri Erabot Yumkham took up  the Bill clause  by clause for passing.

            And the Bill was passed unanimously by the House.

(b)       Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved the Manipur Value Added Tax Bill, 2004 for consideration.

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA participating in the consideration of the Bill said that though he welcomed the Bill, an exhaustive study of the Bill would be needed and suggested for referring it to a Select Committee.

            Shri P. Parijat Singh, Hon’ble Minister in charge of Agriculture, Art & Culture said that the Bill was to prevent double tax payment. He also informed the House that if the collection of revenue of the State was decreased due to the introduction of the Bill, then the Government of India had assured that the loss would be reimbursed 100%, 75% and 50% in the 1st year, 2nd year and 3rd year respectively. The Bill would be very beneficial to the state, he added.

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister clarified that the Bill would be in force from the 1st April, 2005 all over India. He further informed that various high level committees had analysed the Bill exhaustively before its enforcement. He also highlighted the commitment of the Central Government for reimbursing any loss in the first three year of enforcement. Since the Bill is for the better collection of taxes, he appealed the MLAs for passing it.

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

            And the Bill was passed unanimously by the House.

ANNOUNCEMENT  BY  THE  SPEAKER:

            The Hon’ble Speaker announced that the agenda of the four Private Member’s Resolution slated for the day was deferred on the next day.

 HALF-AN-HOUR DISCUSSION:

            (i)        Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA raised a discussion on the amalgamation of New Lambulane Jr. High School with R.D.S. School arising out of Starred Question No. 610 dated 17/12/2004.

            He commented that the criteria of school amalgamation of the government like proximity, strength of student, performance, welfare of students etc. were flouted in that case. He also highlighted the plight of the poor tribal students who were earlier studying in New Lambulane Jr. High School while going to RDS School, which is far from their homes. He critically commented that the amalgamation was done overlooking the welfare of poor tribal students. He further appealed to the concerned Minister to review the amalgamation of these two schools.

            Shri Francis Ngajokpa, Hon’ble Minister (Education) clarifying to the Half an Hour discussion said that the amalgamation of schools was done under a specific policy of the government and that no school was singled out during the amalgamation process. He further clarified that criteria like teachers students ratio, proximity of schools, performance of the school etc. were properly followed during the amalgamation process, and added that the amalgamation was done in the best interest of the students.
He also assured the House that the basic infrastructure requirements of the poor and young students would be met.

            The Hon’ble Chief Minister further supplemented that the amalgamation process was taken up in the best interest of the students and as a matter of state policy.

           (ii)       Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA raised a discussion on the unemployment issue of the State arising out of Starred Question No. 624 dated 20/12/2004.

            The Government should strive to provide programme based and growth based employment, he maintained. He enquired whether the government had any plan to enhance the employment opportunity of the state in accordance with the “Employment for all by 2012” policy of the Central government. He emphasised the need to upgrade the technology of traditional based industries, tap the opportunity of Information Technology and pursue the commitment of the Central government to give employment to
the unemployed youths in various departments as agreed in the signing of the “merger agreement”.

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister clarifying to the discussion said that Law and Order and unemployment were the two main concerns of the state and informed that the UPA Government at the Centre was being pursued for a special Economic Package for generating employment. He further informed that the ‘Special Employment Generation Programme’ would give employment to 50,000 educated unemployed youths and a sum of Rs. 500 crores was sought for this purpose and added that a programme had been chalked out to give vocational training giving emphasis to woman, disabled and educated youths. He also endorsed the idea of tourism having great potential for generating employment but expressed concern over the prevailing law and order situation and appealed to all to help bring about a conducive atmosphere for big industrialist to invest here for setting up big industries to generate employment opportunities.

The Hon’ble Chairman, Shri R.K. Thekho, adjourned the House at 5.52 pm till 11.00 am of
Thursday, the 23rd December, 2004.