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BACK	BULLETIN-PART-I No. 37	HOME
Wednesday, the 16th July, 2003. Asadha 25, 1925 (Saka)
The House assembled at 11.00 a.m... of Wednesday, the 16th July, 2003 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker 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. QUESTIONS: (a)     In reply to Starred Question No. 334, asked by Shri Thangminlien Kipgen, MLA regarding the sanction of fund under Additional Central Assistance Scheme in Senapati District, the Hon’ble Minister (Social Welfare) gave a reply. (b)     In reply to Starred Question No. 335, asked by Shri Y. Erabot, MLA regarding the allotment of land for Dumbra Singh Anath Ashram, the Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) made a reply. It was further supplemented by the Hon’ble Chief Minister. (c)     In reply to Starred Question No. 336, asked by Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA regarding the shifting of FCS godown , Mantripukhri, the Hon’ble Minister (FCS) gave a reply. (d)     In reply to Starred Question No. 337, asked by Shri B.D. Behring, MLA regarding the amendment of Income Tax Act 1961, Section 10 (26), the Hon`ble Chief Minister made a reply. (e)     In reply to Starred Question No. 338, asked by Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA regarding the non-release of AAY and BPL rice for Imphal West, the Hon`ble Minister (FCS) gave a reply. (f)     In reply to Starred Question No. 339 asked by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh regarding the implementation of Anna Purna Scheme during 2002-2003, the Hon`ble Minister (FCS) gave a reply. (g)     In reply to Starred Question No. 340, asked by Shri P.S Henry Paotei, MLA regarding the percentage of ST employees in the State, the Hon`ble Chief Minister made a reply. (h)     In reply to Starred Question No. 341, asked by Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA in place of Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA regarding the Works & Schemes sanctioned for the Electricity Department under Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources, theHon`ble Minister (Power) made a reply. (i)      In reply to Starred Question No. 342, asked by Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA regarding the purchase of “ CRYO-CANE ” Machine in Veterinary Department, the Hon`ble MOS( Vety.& A.H ) gave a reply. Answers to Starred Question Nos.343 and 344 were laid on the Table as written replies. ZERO - HOUR:         Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA raised a matter during Zero-Hour regarding the poor attendance of officers in the Officer’s Gallery during Budget discussion.        The Hon’ble Speaker appreciated the concern of the Hon’ble MLA and observed that officers must be present to take note of the proceedings of the House for taking necessary actions. INFORMATION MADE BY THE HEALTH MINISTER:        The Hon’ble Minister (Health) made a statement regarding the examination of the answer scripts relating to the recently held MBBS/BDS Entrance Test, 2003 by some Hon’ble Members including himself in the Chamber of the Hon’ble Speaker. He read out the tabulated and scrutinised marks of some candidates and said that no substaintial irregularity or error was found.         Shri O. Joy Singh,MLA expressed that no bad intention was detected in the conduct of the Test. He cited a Gauhati High Court directive and made an appeal to re-evaluate and re-examine the answer scripts of the General candidates. A suggestion to computerised the whole examination process was also made.        S/Shri B.D. Behring and L. Ibomcha Singh, MLAs also put up certain suggestions to clear the doubts of the students and the public.        Hon’ble Speaker directed that interested Members and Hon’ble Minister (Health) could re-check the answer scripts of the general candidates today itself. CALLING ATTENTION:         Dr. Nimaichand Luwang and Shri O. Joy Singh, MLAs called the attention of the MAHUD Minister on the apprehension of serious disturbance of peace as a result of the protest of women vendors against the proposed reconstruction of Khwairamband Bazar.        Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA expressed concern over the plight of the women vendors. The feature of uniqueness of the historic Nupi-Keithel should be maintained, he said. He stated that a proper settlement was required to solve the misunderstanding between the women vendors and the Government.       Shri L. Nandakumar Singh, Hon’ble Minister (MAHUD) replying to the motion observed that the uniqueness of the market would be kept intact. He pointed out the unhygienic and congested atmosphere of the market place, which needed a modified reconstruction. He emphasised the need to modernise the present structures and expressed hope that the construction of the over bridge would to some extent solve the problem of congestion. He tabled a photograph of the model of the proposed market complex in the House.             (The Hon’ble Deputy Speaker adjourned the House at 1.00 p.m. till 2.00 p.m. of the day).                                                     Afternoon Session resumed at 2.25 p.m.          Shri L. Nandakumar Singh, Hon`ble Minister (MAHUD) continuing his reply said that temporary arrangements of market sheds for the women vendor while reconstruction of the Khwairamband Bazar was being undertaken would be made at the adjoining areas of Pologround. He said that the identity of an all- women market would be safeguarded and appealed to all not to cause any obstruction in the reconstruction project which had already been sanctioned by the Centre as a 100% grant.          Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, M LA expressed the view that a long-term planning was necessary while undertaking such construction projects. S/Shri O. Joy Singh and M. Bhorot Singh,MLAs.          Shri O. Ibobi Singh,Chief Minister further clarified that every card holders and license holders of the Khwairamband Bazar would be accommodated in the proposed market complex and added that identity of the existing features would be maintained. Even an MOU could be signed in this regard, he said.           Shri L. Lala Singh, Hon`ble Deputy Speaker observed that the misunderstandings must be amicably settled for the proposed reconstruction. (ii)     Shri M. NilchandraSingh,MLA called the attention of the Chief Minister to take neccessary measures for preventing recurrence of damages and hardships caused by blockades on the National Higways. He highlighted the importance of the two National Highways and the necessity of deploying security forces. He asserted that the government was responsible for maintaining safety to the passenger buses and trucks carrying essential commodities plying along these Highways which were the life-lines of Manipur.         Hon`ble Chief Minister replied that security personnel were deployed for escorting the buses and trucks from Imphal to Mao and vice versa. He said that the state government was pursuing for opening of Highway Protection Force on the national highways. He added that the Centre was being approached for a railway head at Imphal.         The Hon`ble Speaker made an observation that blockade was a criminal offence as per a Supreme Court direction. DISCUSSION AND VOTING ON DEMANDS FOR GRANTS, 2003-2004 :          Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved Demand No. 1- State Legislature, Demand No. 2- Council of Ministers, Demand No. 3-Secretariat, and Demand No.9- Information and Publicity for discussion in the House. All the Demands were clubbed for a joint discussion.         Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA moving cut motions observed that the independence of the State legislature should be safeguarded and added that necessary steps for maintaining the independence of Manipur Legislature must be taken by the state government. Talking on Council of Ministers (Demand No.2) and Secretariat (Demand No.3) he said that there were lack of direction, control and supervision in administration and that there was mismanagement in Secretariat administration.         Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA while moving cut motions observed that there was lack of tranperancy in Government Administration. Referring to the administration of Manipur Bhavan at Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Shillong, he said that management was not up to the mark. He was very critical of the remarks made by the Hon`ble Chief Minister at a function at Keisamthong.         Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA moving a cut motion on Demand No. 3- Secretariat, strongly criticised its functioning. He mentioned among other things lack of control over bureaucrats and lack of co-ordination among various departments.         Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA moved a cut motion in respect of Demand No. 9- Information and Publicity and observed that the DIPR failed to create awareness to the general public of the various schemes and projects being undertaken by the Government.         Dr. Nimaichand Luwang,MLA moving a cut motion said that non-downsizing , non-disbursement of salaries of employees and irregularities in promotion process of employees were some features plaguing the department.        Smt. W. Leima Devi, Minister (Information and Publicity) replying to the discussion observed that a 7-Point Programme had been underway for effective administration of the department and added that several awareness programmes were undertaken. She stated that DIPR was helping the people to come nearer to the Government. She also informed the House that steps were taken up to generate employment and revenue.         Neccessary clarifications were made to the queries of Dr. Nimaichand Luwang and Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLAs.         Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh replying to the General Discussion said that maintaining of discipline in the Secretariat administration couldn’t be done at one stroke. He informed the House that the renovation works of the Manipur Bhavan, Sardar Patel Marg, New- Delhi would be completed by August this year. Responding to the allegation that Ministers and government officers frequently went to Delhi, he said that no tours without any programme or specific purpose were entertained. Answering to a charge made by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA as reportedly made by him during a Party meeting at Keishamthong, he said that whatever he said in the meeting was in the spirit and good faith that he would be able to help the people in every possible way. Regarding the powers and functions of the Secretary, Manipur Legislative Assembly, he informed that the Government had examined it. The required amendment was needed to be made in the Rules of Business had been prepared for placing before the Cabinet, he added. For the time being an Executive Order had been issued giving full sanctioning powers to the Secretary of the Assembly Secretariat who could refer to the Finance Department direct instead of the Law Department, he informed the House.          All cut motions were withdrawn and Demand No. 1- State Legislature, Demand No. 2 - Council of Ministers, Demand no.3- Secretariat and Demand No.9- Information and Publicity were unanimously passed by the House.               The Hon`ble Speaker adjourned the House at 6.20 p.m till 11.00 a.m of Thursday, the 17th July, 2003.
Th. Chourajit Singh                                                                                                                                     Secretary,                                                                                                                  Manipur Legislative Assembly.
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