The House assembled at 11.00 am. of Monday, the 1st March, 2004 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair. 

MEMBERS  PRESENT:

                Hon’ble Chief Minister, 24 Cabinet Ministers, Chairman (Hill Areas Committee),  7 Ministers of State and 5 Elected Members. 

            (All the Opposition Members  left the House before the Hon’ble Speaker took the chair.) 

QUESTIONS: 

(a)       In reply to Starred Question No. 558, asked by Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA regarding the status of land adjacent to the land allotted to the Waqf Board, the Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) made a reply. 

(b)       In reply to Starred Question No. 562, asked by Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA regarding the fresh land allotment made within the area of Mantripukhri, the Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) gave a reply. 

            Starred Question Nos. 559, 560, 561 and 563 were not asked. 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF BUSINESS 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Leader of the House announced the business of the House for the week. 

MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEE REPORT:           

            Shri P. Parijat Singh, Chairman of the Committee to inquire into the receipt, issue and distribution of foodgrains including S.K. Oil under PDS moved the following motion:           

                        “that this House agrees that the time for the presentation of the Report by the Committee to inquire into the  receipt, issue and distribution of foodgrains including S.K. Oil under PDS w.e.f. 1st April, 2000 till July, 2003  be extended for another period of 3 (three) months w.e.f. 28/02/2004 to enable the Committee to examine the matter thoroughly and present its Report.” 

The House agreed.

GENERAL DISCUSSION ON SUPPLEMENTARY DEMANDS FOR GRANTS & DISCUSSION AND VOTING ON DEMANDS FOR GRANTS:               

            General discussion on Supplementary Demands for Grants, 2003-2004 & Discussion and Voting on Supplementary Demands for Grants, 2003-2004 were clubbed for a joint discussion.               

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh, moved  Demand Nos. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 & 47 for discussion and voting. 

            Shri C. Doungel, MLA, participating in the discussion on Supplementary Demands, charged the Ministers for their extravagance and suggested for finding various means of resource mobilisation like legalisation of liquor brewing. He remarked that the Kitchen Cabinet manipulated the allocation of fund for various departments. He observed that a political will was required to maintain financial discipline. Regarding the text books crisis, he made suggestion  for speedy revision. He suggested announcing  reward for identifying the culprits in the murder of Luningla Elizabeth. He said that the government must try to win the confidence of the public with a sense of responsibility. He further observed that law and order in the state was in a bad shape.               

            Shri K. Govindas Singh, Minister (PHED), participating  in the discussion, observed that there was no discrimination in fund allocation. Reacting to the term, “Kitchen Cabinet”, used by Shri C. Doungel, he clarified that the government was functioning properly and democratically.  He added that the Elizabeth murder case was not necessary to be discussed in the House as it was  being investigated by the highest investigating authority i.e. CBI and the government had been seeking help from the public for clues of the murder.                

            Shri Ngamthang Haokip, Minister (T.D), while participating in the discussion, clarified that he had no nexus with James Kuki main accused in the Elizabeth murder case.                

            Shri Phungzathang, Minister (Power), reacted to the term, “Kitchen Cabinet” and remarked it to be derogatory. He announced that the power condition in greater Imphal area would be improved after completing the underground line system. He also remarked that the Elizabeth murder case was inappropriate to be discussed in the House and it would lower the dignity of the House.                

            Shri Francis Ngajokpa, Minister (GAD), remarked that Sales Tax was the backbone of resource mobilisation but he regretted that no amusement tax was levied because of closure of cinema halls in the state. He observed that the co-operation of all Government Departments and of all sections of people was necessary for effective tax collection.               

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister, clarified that  priority was given to Centrally Sponsored Schemes because fund flow would be stopped by the Central government unless utilisation certificate was  submitted in time. He added that there was no discrimination in releasing the fund.  

            All the Supplementary Demands were passed by the House. 

DISCUSSION AND VOTING ON MOTION FOR VOTE ON ACCOUNTS:               

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved for the Discussion and Voting on Motion for Vote on Accounts, 2004. 

            Motion for Vote on Accounts was passed by the House. 

INTRODUCTION OF BILL:               

            (i)        Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Appropriation (No.1) Bill, 2004.               

            The House granted leave.               

            And the Bill was introduced.               

            (ii)       Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Appropriation (No.2) Bill, 2004.               

            The House granted leave.               

            And the Bill was introduced. 

            The Hon’ble Speaker, Shri T.N. Haokip adjourned the House at 12.43 p.m. till 11.00 a.m. of Wednesday, the 3rd March, 2004.