The House assembled at 11.00  am. of Wednesday, the 30th July, 2003 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Deputy Speaker in the Chair.

MEMBERS  PRESENT:

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, 25 Cabinet Ministers, Chairman (Hill Areas Committee), 9 Ministers of State and 21 Elected Members.

QUESTIONS:

            (a)        In reply to Starred Question No. 445, asked by Shri Vivek Raj Wangkhem, MLA regarding the
                       area of land allotted to the Physical Education Training Degree College, Yaralpat, the Hon’ble
                       Minister (Revenue) made a reply.

            (b)      In reply to Starred Question No. 446, asked by Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding  the opening of Police Station in Andro A/C, the Hon’ble Chief Minister gave a reply.

(c)        In reply to Starred Question No. 447, asked by Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA regarding the   running of Lilong Chajing SDC Circle in a rented building, the Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) made a reply.

           (d)        In reply to Starred Question No. 448, asked by Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA regarding the  payment of Electricity Tax, the Hon`ble Minister (Power) gave a reply.

           (e)        In reply to Starred Question No. 449, asked by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the construction of Tourist recreation facilities at Thangjing Temple, Moirang, the Hon`ble Minister
                      (Tourism) made a reply.

           (f)         In reply to Starred Question No. 450, asked by Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA regarding  the occupation of land meant for construction of zonal reservoirs, the Hon`ble Minister (Revenue) gave a reply.

         (g)        In reply to Starred Question No. 451, asked by Shri N. Sovakiran Singh, MLA regarding the SDC Office at Heirok Part- III, the Hon`ble Minister (Revenue) made a reply.

           (h)        In reply to Starred Question No. 452, asked by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the Thongjaorok Quarry Stone Mahal, the Hon’ble Minister (Forest) made a reply.

           (i)         In reply to Starred Question No.  453, asked by Shri B.D. Behring, MLA regarding the release
                       of essential commodities for Chandel District, the Hon`ble Minister (FCS) gave a   reply.

           (j)         In reply to Starred Question No. 454, asked by Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA regarding the
                       unlawful organisations operating in the State, the Hon`ble Chief Minister made a reply.

(k)       In reply to Starred Question No. 455, asked by S/Shri O. Joy Singh and Erabot Yumkham,  MLAs  regarding the construction of Anganwadi Centres, the Hon`ble MOS (Social Welfare)   gave a reply.

            (l)       In reply to Starred Question No. 456, asked by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding  the action taken up for appointing havildars, the Hon`ble Chief Minister made a reply.   

            Answers to Unstarred Question Nos. 27 and 28 were laid as written replies.  

ZERO - HOUR: 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA raised a matter regarding the arrest of Shri Ningthoujam Dhanajit Singh alias Boby of Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai without issuing arrest memo and Shri N. Ajitkumar of Haobam Marak who was injured while returning home after the Bolbam function at Koubru Leikha. He drew the attention of the Chief Minister to prevent the army from doing such things and to give them proper advice.

            Shri R.K. Dorendra Singh, MLA raised a similar matter regarding the arrest of Thoudam Yaima Singh alias Premchand of Yaiskul without arrest memo.

            Shri N. Sovakiran Singh, MLA relates the continuing torture of civilians after the attack on the Chief Ministers convoy.

            S/Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, N. Bihari Singh and Ningthoujam Biren, MLAs raised matters regarding the non-issuing of advice - slips of kerosene.  

            Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA drew the attention of the Education (S) Minister regarding the present crisis of JNV Yaralpat and to place relevant documents.

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA raised a point of order regarding the constitution of House Committee to look into the irregularities of FCS Department. He said there should be 13 members to carry out the investigation for the period April 2002 - July 2003.

            The Hon’ble Deputy Speaker directed the Hon’ble MLA Dr. Nimaichand Luwang to hand over the proposed list of names to the concerned Minister.

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA made certain suggestions to rectify the terms of reference. 

CALLING  ATTENTION:

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA called the attention of the Chief Minister on the alleged failure of the Police to book the culprits involved in the killing of one Shri Thoudam Bidhu Singh of Sekmaijin Bazar.

            He quoted the July 24, 2003, Poknapham publication and said that the above person was found dead by hanging in a suspicious manner in his farm by his son, Shri Rajen Singh. A complaint was filed but the Police failed to nab the culprit. He pointed out the failure and negligence of the Police Department and stressed the need to prevent such future occurrence. He wanted the Hon’ble Chief Minister to give them necessary advice and instruction.

           The Hon’ble Chief Minister replying to the motion said that the Police Department was not trying to conceal the facts relating to the incident. Further investigations were carried out and Shri Rajen and Wahengbam Ibohal were arrested. Both confessed that they had committed the crime after being drunk, he said. He informed the House that necessary punishment according to law would be given to them.

DISCUSSION AND VOTING ON DEMANDS FOR GRANTS, 2003 - 2004.

Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved Demand No. 21- Commerce & Industries and Weights & Measures Department, Demand No. 22- Public Health Engineering Department and Demand No. 30- General Economic Services and Planning for discussion. All the Demands were clubbed for a joint discussion.

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA moving a cut motion observed that the performance of the Commerce & Industries Department was very poor and that steps should be taken in this respect. He suggested that an Industrial Policy should be framed to strengthen the Department. He drew the attention of the concerned Minister regarding the revival of public undertakings like MANIDCO, Handlooms & Handicraft Development Corporation etc. He stressed the need to identify certain viable areas for revamp and revitalisation with a new vision. Effective suggestions should be made to the Govt. of India regarding the up gradation of Indo - Myammar trade, he said. Regarding PHED, he said that all the Water Supply Schemes in Thanga Kendra were not implemented properly and expressed the need to supply drinking water.

            The Hon’ble Deputy Speaker adjourned the House at 1.05 pm. till 2.05 pm. of the day.

            The afternoon session resumed at 2.10 pm.

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA moving cut motion pointed out the failures to implement urban water supply schemes and wanted to see a physical progress in the augmentation work of Imphal City Water Supply Schemes, Phase - I. He said that the Department had failed to check water pilferage. Highlighting various problems faced by Manipur Handloom & Handicraft Corporation, he mentioned that sick units should be identified and loans to be recovered through one time settlement scheme. He wanted to constitute a High Power Committee to look into the matter.

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA moving cut motions observed that the Commerce and Industries Department had lacked seriousness, determination and initiatives. He pointed out that the quality and standard of the product of Manipur Handloom & Handicraft Corporation was not properly maintained. He expressed concern over the management of PMRY scheme and wanted a clear-cut policy in this respect. Regarding PHED, he contended that prompt payment should be made to contractors who had executed the works for the PHED.  He further said that unauthorised tapping of water should be checked and expressed the desire to take up effective steps for tax collection.

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA moving a cut motion said that the water supply schemes and drainage & sewages programmes should necessarily be checked for proper implementation. He drew the attention of the Minister to take up Universal Sanitation Programme and expressed unhappiness that PHED didn’t implement schemes in rural areas. Regarding Commerce & Industries Department, he highlighted the problems of Manipur Handloom & Handicraft Corporation and pointed out the irregularities in implementing DDHPY Project. He charged that Wood Based Industries in Manipur was not functioning successfully and wanted the Department to renew sawmill licenses.

            Shri Vivek Raj Wangkhem, MLA participating in the demand discussion expressed unhappiness on the steps of the Government for winding up of some Corporations in Manipur and wanted the concerned Minister to provide revival packages to MANIDCO and other Corporations. He said that the Department should introduce a method to recover loans and suggested that the loans should be recovered through one time settlement scheme.

Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA participated in the demand discussion and asked the Minister, Commerce & Industries about the present condition of MANIDCO and charged the Department for not implementing CSS Schemes properly. He pointed out the loan irregularities in Khadi & Village Industries Board and said that the Board was not functioning properly. He criticised the Government for the step of winding up Public Undertakings, instead of revitalising them. He said that there was no pipeline for water supply in Tarung Village in Thangmeiband A/C.

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA taking part in the discussion sought clarification regarding the irregularities in the management of PMRY Schemes and also mentioned the inaccuracy in Weights & Measures. He also highlighted the scarcity of water supply in Lamphel and Babupara area.

            Shri Th. Devendra Singh, Minister (Commerce and Industries) replying to the discussion stated that the Government would take up DDHPY for the development of Handloom & Hendicraft. Regarding wood based Industries, he said that a high-power Committee had been constituted to look into the sustainable forest area and regulate number of sawmills and Wood Based Industrial Estates in several districts. Regarding employment generation schemes he said that some measures were being contemplated. He informed that in the process for winding up some Corporations, MANIDCO, Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation, Manitron and some others were not included. Efforts were being taken up to provide a revival package to MANIDCO, he added.

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA said that the proposed Industrial Estate near the Manipur University would not be feasible.

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA sought a clarification on the items of Moreh Trade and the Minister made a clarification.

             Shri K. Govindas Singh, Minister (PHED) replying to the discussion stated that the amount of fund earmarked for several schemes and highlighted the achievements of the department. He gave an assurance that the ongoing schemes would be completed in the near future. Regarding unauthorised tapping and drilling of the main pipes, he stated that the officers of the department were in full alert and the offenders would be arrested. Cooperation and awareness of the public was needed for preventing such illegal acts, he added. He further informed the House that the PHED would work with the co-ordination of the IFCD and MAHUD for a good scheme of ground water regulatory body and good drainage and sewage scheme. He assured that the water of Loktak Lake is not of health hazard as confirmed by an experiment in Manipur University. He stated that there are 302 public hydrants in Manipur. He assured that the problem of siltation in reservoir would be looked into and sites of setting up of overhead tanks would be decided. Collection of taxes from consumers would be accelerated, he said. He informed that some schemes under CSS like Swajal Dhara would be implemented soon with the participation of community in the rural areas    He also informed the House that a survey report regarding the present status of the rural water supply was expected by August 2003. Regarding the incomplete water supply in the Tiddim line, it was due to non-sanctioning of the 50% state share, he said. He further informed the House that a new programme called Total Sanitation Programme would be taken up with the involvement of the Panchayats. He assured the House that most of the incomplete works would be completed very soon. The laying of pipes from Lalambung to Thangal bazar had been completed, he informed. He also informed that the overhead tank near the Assembly complex would be constructed next month.

            S/Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, M. Bhorot Singh, Dr. Nimaichand Luwang and Ningthioujam Biren, MLAs sought certain clarifications from the Minister.

Shri K. Govindas Singh, Minister (PHED) clarified that Total Sanitation Programme would be taken up in the hills too and that a Water Regulatory Body would be constituted along with other departments to look into the various water related issues. 

            The Hon`ble Chief Minister moved the demands for passing

            All the cut motions were withdrawn and the House unanimously passed Demand No. 21- Commerce and Industries and Weights and Measures, Demand No. 22- Public Health Engineering and Demand No.  30- General Economic Services and Planning.

ANNOUNCEMENT  BY  THE  MINISTER (FCS) :

            The Hon`ble Minister (FCS) read out the details of the House Committee as follows:

            “ I propose the following Hon’ble Members to be the members of the House Committee to inquire into the receipt, issue and distribution of food grains including S.K. Oil under PDS, with effect from 1st April, 2000 till July, 2003: -

            1.         Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA

            2.         Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA

            3.         Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA

            4.         Shri M. Bhorot  Singh, MLA

            5.         Shri Y. Erabot Singh, MLA

            6.         Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA

            7.         Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA

            8.         Shri K. Govindas Singh, Minister (PHED)

            9.         Shri W. Brajabidhu Singh, Minister (MI & CADA)

            10.       Dr. M. Nara Singh, Minister (Arts & Culture)

            11.       Shri Ngamthang Haokip, Minister (TD)

            12.       Dr. Chaltonlien Amo, Minister (Health)

                        The Minister in-charge of FCS will be the Chairman.

            The terms of reference of the Committee shall be as follows: -

i)          To verify and report on the district-wise and month-wise issue and dispatch of food grains including S.K. Oil by the Directorate of FCS;

ii)         To verify and report the district-wise and month-wise indents placed and permits issued, receipt and distribution by each of the Deputy Commissioners and ADCs (Jiribam & Kangpokpi);

iii)         To identify and report on any lapses or irregularities committed while placing indents, issuing permits, releasing, lifting transportation and distributing by the Directorate of FCS or the Deputy Commissioners/ADCs concerned as the case may be;

iv)        To recommend measures for strengthening and improvement of the present system of issue, dispatch, distribution, transportation and selection of beneficiaries of BPL/AAY/AD rice; and

v) To fix responsibility(s) on any official(s) so found involved in irregularities, malpractices, corruption etc.

            The Committee will submit its report within 4 (four) months from its formation.
                                                                                                                         P. Parijat Singh
                                                                                                                  Minister (FCS), Manipur.”

            The Hon’ble Deputy Speaker adjourned the House at 6.50 pm. till 11.00 am of Thursday, the 31st July, 2003.