The House assembled at 11.00 am. of Monday, the 4th August, 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. 481, asked by Shri  M. Bhorot  Singh, MLA regarding the fish rearing
            season, the Hon’ble MOS (Fisheries) made a reply.

(b)        In reply to Starred Question No. 482, asked by Shri S. Gopal  Singh, MLA regarding the total number of visitors at Sendra Tourist Home in a year, the Hon’ble Minister (Tourismgave a reply.                                   

(c)        In reply to Starred Question No. 483, asked by Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA  regarding the land allotment to the WAQF Board, the Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) made a reply. 

(d)        In reply to Starred Question No. 484, asked by Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA  regarding  the
            encroachment of land in Khongjom area, the Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) gave a reply.

(e)        In reply to Starred Question No. 485,  asked by Shri D. Shaiza, MLA regarding the present status of
             Imphal- Ukhrul Road,  the Hon`ble Minister (Works) made a reply.

(f)         In reply to Starred Question No. 486,  asked by Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA  regarding  the proposal for
            setting up Industrial Growth Centre, the Hon`ble Minister (Commerce & Industries) gave a reply.
                                   
(g)        In reply to Starred Question No. 487, asked by Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA regarding  the improvement of
             road in Langthabal  A/C, the Hon`ble  Minister (Works) made a reply. 

(h)        In reply to Starred Question No. 488, asked by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the checking of unlawful collection of taxes from vehicles plying on National Highways, the Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply.

 Answers to Starred Question Nos. 489, 490  & 491 and Unstarred Question No. 32 were laid on the Table as written replies. 

ZERO - HOUR: 

Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA drew the attention of the Hon’ble Minister (MAHUD) regarding the notification for the election of Chairperson/ Vice-Chairperson of the Imphal Municipal Council to be held on 8th August, 2003. He said that since the notification raised confusing point, a corrigendum should be issued. 

            Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA drew the attention of the Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister regarding fake patta holders in Imphal and greater Imphal areas.  

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA raised a matter regarding the killing of Thoudam Bidhu of Sekmaijin. He expressed that the report made by the Chief Minister in the House was not clear and wanted further clarification. He  further stated that the statement of the Chief Minister was denied by the accused. 

ANNOUNCEMENT  OF  BUSINESS: 

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

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

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved Demand No. 20- Community Development and ANP, IRDP and NREP, Demand No. 30- Panchayat and Demand No. 44- Social Welfare Department for discussion in the House. The Demands were clubbed for a joint discussion. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA raising a cut motion alleged that no criteria or direction was followed in the selection for construction of 660 Aganwadi Centres under Integrated Child Development Schemes. Regarding the “Ready-to-Eat’ foodstuffs and kit boxes supplied by the Social Welfare Department to Aganwadis, they were substandard, he said and he produced samples. He referred to the 73rd and 74th amendment of the Indian Constitution and said that devolution of power to panchayat Bodies was necessary to strengthen democracy. Regarding PMGSY under RD & PR Department, he said that the scheme was not properly implemented and wanted the Minister to ensure effective implementation. He alleged that some high ranking officers were misleading the Minister and that necessary action must be taken to check such things. 

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA moving cut motions expressed that since the community development central schemes were not implemented properly, the Government of India was unwilling to sanction further fund. In order to check the misuse of funds, the implementation of the schemes should be well monitored, he said. Citing mismanagement in the implementation of PMGSY, he said that special attention must be paid for its proper implementation. Regarding Social Welfare Department, he expressed the need to monitor the implementation of Social Welfare schemes and added that old-age pension scheme, midday meal scheme and other schemes should be properly streamlined, he added.  

                        The Deputy Speaker adjourned the House at 1.00 pm till 2.00 pm of the day. 

                                                    The afternoon session resumed at 2.08 pm. 

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA moving a cut motion highlighted the failures of the Government in the implementation of PMGSY and pointed out the irregularities in the selection of contractors. In this regard, the Central Government had warned the State Government that the fund for PMGSY should be utilised properly, he further said. He said that the Government didn’t chalk out priority areas and added that some roads in rural areas were still in pitiable condition. He drew the attention of the RD & PR Minister for the proper implementation of PMGSY in the larger interest of the general public. 

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA moving cut motions pointed out the defects of the Government in the management of Central Schemes and said that devolution of power to Panchayats was not made. Regarding Social Welfare Department he said that some of its funds had been mismanaged and added that the Department couldn’t distribute money for Old Aged Pension and other schemes in time. He insisted the Department to give the total number of disabled persons and wanted a survey report in this regard. He said that weighing machines were not supplied to the Anganwadi Centres. He expressed concern over the upsurge of juvenile delinquency in the State and wanted to implement rehabilitation programme in this respect. 

            Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA moving a cut motion said that the Government didn’t properly implement the construction of Anganwadi Centres and added that supervisors were not performing their duties sincerely. He insisted the Government to release the amounts for Old Aged Pension and National Social Assistance Programmes and wanted to clear the outstanding dues for nine months. He expressed the desire to implement the devolution of power to the Panchayats by the Government.  

            Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA while moving a cut motion expressed regret over the use of the word ‘unattached’ in his case and said that there had been a High Court direction in this regard. He informed the House that it was a gross mistake on the part of the Speaker and asked the Hon’ble Speaker to give a reason for it. He observed that the government didn’t properly implement PMGSY. He drew the attention of the concerned Minister to clear the outstanding dues for Old  Aged Pension. He charged the Government that the Construction Committee meetings for the construction of Anganwadi Centres were not held and the Central guidelines were not followed resulting to the substandard quality of the works.  

            Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA moving a cut motion stressed the need for development of villages through Panchayati Raj and expressed the desire to introduce 3- tier system of Panchayati Raj in the State. Like other states in India, the hill areas of Manipur should be covered by Panchayati Raj so that it would bring peace and prosperity among the people, he maintained. He urged the Government to implement the devolution of power in the Panchayats and added that more fund provisions should be allocated accordingly. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA moving a cut motion asked the Government of its present condition of material planning in the implementation of PMGSY and wanted a clear cut policy and transparency in this regard. Regarding Social Welfare Department he pointed out the irregularities in the construction of Anganwadi Centres. He said that without completing works, utilisation certificates had been issued by the Government. He wanted to streamline the Social Welfare Department and utilise its funds properly. He drew the attention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister to release funds for Family Benefit Schemes and Old Aged Pension just after the lifting of RBI ban.  

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA moving a cut motion cited that diarrhoea, cold and fever were the main causes of children death, and said that food products not fit for consumption and substandard ones must not be provided to the Anganwadi Centres. He alleged that there were many irregularities and complaints in the construction of Anganwadi Centres. Speaking about RD & PR he said that there must be devolution of power. He charged the Government that due to the non-release of fund no work could be taken up and added that due to non-submission of utilisation certificates further funds were not released by the Centre. Interference by the Minister and the Government in the functioning of DRDA, hindered all works, he alleged. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA moving a cut motion inquired whether finance concurrence had been taken while opening Departments/Officer’s account in the RD & PR. Regarding the Social Welfare Department, he said there were many crisis in the construction of Anganwadi Centres for Keishamthong A/C. 

            Shri N. Loken Singh, Minister (RD & PR) replying to the discussion said that regarding devolution of power to the Panchayats, the Government had been trying to do so. He informed the House that the Central fund of Rs. 40 crores released by the Centre for PMGSY came direct to the DRDA account. In respect of work order given for 2001 and 2002 no fund had been released, he added. Regarding the selection of work contractors for Churachandpur District for PMGSY, he said they were awarded from amongst the qualified list. He further informed the House that Rs. 80 crores had been released for PMGSY in two equal instalments till date and that out of the first instalment Rs. 20 crores had been released and distributed to the Districts and utilisation certificates had been given for it.  

            Shri D. Korungthang, MOS (Social Welfare) replying to the discussion observed that his Department dealt with various social welfare programmes ranging from infants to old aged persons. He said eight destitute Children Homes run by NGOs and one Working Women Hostel run by the Department were operating in Manipur. He further added that additional charges were given to Anganwadi workers to identify disabled persons in the State. ‘Ready to eat’ food were provided to the Anganwadi Centres after it was recommended by the Expert Committee on Nutrition and certified by the Department of Women and Children Development. He informed the House that the Government of India gave permission for the construction of 660 Anganwadi Centres in the State and 50% amount had already been released for the construction and the remaining 50% would be given according to the progress of work.  

            Further clarifications were sought by S/Shri Erabot Yumkham, M. Nilchandra Singh, Ningthoujam Biren, L. Ibomcha Singh, N. Bihari Singh, I. Hemochandra Singh and M. Bhorot Singh, MLAs.  

            Making further clarification, Minister (RD & PR) said that fund would be released only after the submission of progress reports.  

            Chief Minister Shri O. Ibobi Singh, further supplementing to the reply said that the National Monitoring Committee had recently visited the State and checked all the work sites and they recommended for the maintenance of quality.  

            Shri D. Korungthang, MOS (Social Welfare) said that he would check why the officials had not responded when the Hon’ble Members called for holding of Construction Committee meeting. Regarding the award of State Old-aged Pension out of the targetted 6000 in the last financial year 4000 had been accommodated and the remaining would be taken up very soon.  

            Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh informed the House that for the payment of Old Aged Pension, encashment permit had been given and it would be encashed as soon as the RBI ban was lifted. 

            Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved for the passing of the Demands. 

            All cut motions were withdrawn and Demand No. 20- Community Development and ANP, IRDP and NREP, Demand No. 38- Panchayat and Demand No. 44-  Social Welfare Department were passed unanimously by the House.  

The Hon‘ble Speaker adjourned the House at 5.45 pm. till 11.00 am. of Tuesday, the  5th  August, 2003.