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.

            The House assembled at 11.00 am. of Thursday, the 31st 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 21 Elected Members.

QUESTIONS:

            (a)        In reply to Starred Question No. 457, asked by Shri BD Behring, MLA regarding the grant- in-aid Schools in Manipur, the Hon’ble MOS, Education (S) made a reply.

            (b)        In reply to Starred Question No. 459, asked by Shri L. Tomba Singh, MLA regarding the augmentation of Thoubal Tomjing Water Supply Scheme, the Hon’ble MOS (PHED) gave a reply.

             (c)        In reply to Starred Question No. 460, asked by Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the purchase of fertilisers, the Hon’ble Minister (Agriculture) made a reply.

            (d)        In reply to Starred Question No. 461, asked by Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA regarding the constitution of State Higher Education  Commission, the Hon’ble Minister, Education (U) gave a reply.

            (e)        In reply to Starred Question No. 462, asked by Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA regarding the adhoc employees in T.D. Deptt.,  the Hon`ble Minister (T.D.) made a reply.

            (f)         In reply to Starred Question No. 463, asked by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the Mechanised Farm at Lamphelpat, the Hon`ble Minister (Agriculture) gave a reply.

            (g)        In reply to Starred Question No. 464, asked by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the appointment of Chief Executive Officer, the Hon`ble MOS (Fisheries) made a reply.

            (h)        In reply to Starred Question No. 465, asked by Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the muster-roll employees converted to work- charged, the Hon’ble Minister (IFCD) made a reply.

(i)                  In reply to Starred Question No.  466, asked by Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA regarding the publication of new text books for classes I- VIII, the Hon`ble Minister (SCERT) gave a reply.

(j)         In reply to Starred Question No. 467, asked by Shri Vivek Raj Wangkhem, MLA regarding the works taken up in Kshetrigao A/C under IFCD, the Hon`ble Minister (IFCD) made a reply.

(j)         In reply to Starred Question No. 468, asked by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the construction of Directorate of Employment Exchange Building, the Hon`ble Minister (MAHUD) gave a reply.

            Answer to Starred Question No. 458 was laid on the Table as written reply.

POINT  OF  ORDER:

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA raised a point of order regarding the placing of a copy of the Holy Bible on the table of the Members and asked whether the SPF Government was trying to Christianise the House.

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA observed that the permission of the Hon’ble Speaker was required in doing such thing.

           The Hon’ble Speaker Shri T.N. Haokip made a clarification that the permission to distribute the Holy Bible in the House was granted by him. He made reference to a similar case, which took place earlier.

ZERO - HOUR:

            Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA raised a matter regarding the mismanagement in the District T.B. Office (Imphal East).

            S/Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, R.K. Dorendra Singh and I. Hemochandra Singh, MLAs drew the attention of the House regarding the arrest of some persons without giving arrest memos by the army personnel and of their whereabouts.

             Shri O. Joy Singh wanted the Chief Minister to give a detailed information of the arrested persons while replying to the Calling Attention Motion listed for the day.

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA drew the attention of the Hon’ble Speaker to construct a permanent resting shed for the P.S.Os and drivers inside the Assembly complex.

CALLING ATTENTION:

Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA called the attention of the Home Minister on the brutal torture inflicted by security personnel as reported in several local newspapers. He referred cases of Shri L. Isho and Shri S. Pahari who were brutally tortured by suspected Assam Rifles Personnel. He highlighted the ongoing trend of civilian torture by the army and paramilitary personnel and said that such incidents would leave an indelible mark in the minds of the people. Regarding the arrest of a person, the person should be handed over to the civil police with the least possible delay, he said and made reference to a Supreme Court ruling. He cited certain instances of violation of Fundamental Rights in Manipur. He remarked that the Army had become super court and being law-enforcing agencies, they should observe and follow the Supreme Court directions. He expressed that the DGP of Manipur remained a mere spectator to all these atrocities. He mentioned some cases of civilian torture and drew the attention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister to look into the matter.

            The Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh, replying to the motion said that the whereabouts of the two persons, Shri Ningthoujam Dhanajit Singh and Shri Thoudam Premchand Singh were still not known. He assured the House to place the required information as soon as possible. Regarding Laishram Isho Singh and Soibam Pahari Singh, identity of the personnel who arrested them was still not yet known. He stated that the army personnel had been given instruction to issue arrest memos. In Apex Coordination Committee meetings, he instructed the army and the paramilitary authorities not to commit excesses on the public, he informed the House and added that they had some complaints too. He assured that necessary steps would be taken in this respect.

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

Shri O. Ibobi Singh Chief Minister moved Demand No. 23- Power and Demand No. 46- Science & Technology for discussion in the House.

The Hon’ble Speaker adjourned the House at 12.55 pm. till 2.00 pm. of the day.

The afternoon session resumed at 2.15 pm.

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA moving a cut motion highlighted the importance of electricity and appealed to the Government to provide uninterrupted and reliable power supply to the people. He expressed desire for the early completion of Loktak Downstream Project and charged the Government for delaying its proper implementation. He pointed out the irregularities in Electricity Department regarding material planning and expressed apprehension that some of its fund had been misappropriated in purchasing non- essential materials. He charged the government for failing of collecting proper tax from the consumers and demanded that power sector be privatised to enhance revenue income.

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA moving a cut motion stressed the need to take proper steps for smooth  functioning of Loktak Downstream Project. He pointed out the non- uniformity of power purchase rates paid to different power corporations and said that there was shortfall between demand and supply of electric energy. Highlighting the importance of rural electrification, he said that interior areas should be electrified under Rural Electrification Programme. For the enhancement of State economy, proper tax should be collected and even Cabinet decision should be taken accordingly, he maintained.

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA moving a cut motion said that frequent loadshedding caused inconveniences to the people and expressed confusion on the present condition of Electricity Department. He pointed out the failures to achieve targetted tax collection and that action should be initiated against the defaulting Government Departments by disconnecting power lines, he added.

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA moving a cut motion criticised the Government for its lack of policy to control unauthorized power connection and expressed desire to deploy flying squad in this respect. He pointed out the failures of the Government to achieve the targetted tax collection and added that regular taxpayers should be given some discounts.

            Shri T. Phungzathang, Minister (Power) replying to the discussion said that in the maintenance of electricity, the Power Department had been facing a lot of problems due to financial constraint. He said that new transformers would be procured for replacement of old transformers in the State. He informed the House that works had been undertaken for the enhancement of Leimakhong and other power stations. He said that electronic energy meter would soon be installed and expressed confident that this equipment would enhance power tax collection. For laying underground cable at greater Imphal Area, he said that he had consulted with the Government of India to expedite the works. He also highlighted the efforts and the achievements of his Department in collecting electricity taxes as compared to previous Government. He further expressed the gradual improvement of the Department in all angles. He also informed the House that a new Central Bill was passed to book and punish power thefts and defaulters. He expressed confidence that the Bill would enhance the collection of electricity taxes. He also highlighted various schemes taken up for electrifying virgin villages in the hills and rural areas. He further appealed the local clubs, organisations, NGOs etc. to join hands in collecting taxes for which 5% would be given as commission. He clarified that Loktak Downstream Project would be taken up very soon. He also informed the House that the Department had at present three hundred new transformers and sufficient poles. Regarding loadshedding, he replied that it was due to power theft.

Shri Manga Vaiphei, Minister (Science & Technology) replying to the demand discussion highlighted the various schemes taken up by the three wings of his Department. He informed the House that most of the schemes were CSS. He also pointed out the schemes like Local Area Network, wireless connection to certain offices, Community Information Centres etc. which were being taken up by the Department. He also informed the House that a new IT Park would be coming up soon at Mantripukhri. He further cited various schemes like the Pottery Projects, Micro- Hydel Projects, Wind Power Projects,  Bio-mass Projects etc., which would be taken up by his Department with Central assistance. Regarding electrification of ninety villages under Bio- mass Project, he said that 50% of the total amount was sanctioned and the work would be taken up very soon. He also explained in detail the various programmes already taken up and which would be taken up by the Manipur Remote Sensing Centre. He said that nine Projects funded by NEC would also be taken up very soon. 

            S/Shri Nimaichand Luwang, S. Ibohal Singh, O. Joy Singh and M. Nilchandra Singh, MLAs sought certain clarifications from the Minister.

            Shri T. Phungzathang, Minister (Power) clarified that the Department was contemplating a proper material planning. He also assured the House that the details of the Tipaimukh Dam and the tender process of supplying meter boxes would be placed in the House in a day or two.

            The Hon’ble Chief Minister moved for the passing of the Demands.

            All cut motions were withdrawn and Demand No. 23- Power and Demand No. 46- Science & Technology and passed unanimously by the House.

            The Hon’ble Speaker adjourned the House at 5.15 pm. till 11.00 am.of Friday, the 1st August 2003.