The House assembled at 11.00 am of Friday, the 10th March, 2006 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh in the Chair. 

MEMBERS PRESENT: 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, 10 Cabinet Ministers, Chairman (Hill Areas Committee), 1 Minister of State and 41 Elected Members. 

QUESTIONS: 

            (a)       Hon’ble Minister (Agriculture) made a reply to Starred Question No. 972  asked by Shri E. Biramani Singh, MLA regarding the measures taken up to increase  crop production. 

            (b)       Hon’ble Minister (Education) made a reply to Starred Question No. 973 asked  by  Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the pension for Headpandits. 

            (c)       Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 974 asked by  Shri Samuel Jendai, MLA regarding the staff strength of Noney P.H.C. 

            (d)       Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 975 asked by  Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA regarding the construction of fire substation, Kakching. 

            (e)       Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 976 asked by  Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA regarding the  allotment of Special Development  Fund to the Departments. 

            (f)        Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 977 asked by  Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA regarding the  P.C. of reservation in services. 

            (g)       Hon’ble Minister (Agriculture) made a reply to Starred Question No. 978 asked by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the release of plan money for the year, 2005-06 by the Indian Government. 

            (h)       Hon’ble Minister (Education) made a reply to Starred Question No. 979 asked by Shri N. Sovakiran Singh, MLA regarding the  cases taken up by the police  for the illegal transportation of urea. 

            (i)        Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 980 asked by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the teachers of Tronglaobi Government Model Primary School. 

            (h)       Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 981 asked by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the  non-payment of leave salary to pensioners.           

            Answers to Unstarred Question No. 71 was laid on the Table of the House. 

ZERO HOUR 

            Shri  L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA raised a matter on the bomb blast at Ngarian Community Hall on 29 December, 2005 and drew the attention of the Chief Minister to extend necessary help to the victims.  

CALLING ATTENTION:            

            (i) Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA called the attention of Information and Publicity Minister on the non-functioning of the Manipur Information Centre at Delhi.  

            He said that the MIC at Delhi was defunct for the past one year due to the negligence of the government and poor staff and failed to render services to the people. Highlighting its contribution and role in the society, he pointed out lapses on the part of the government and stressed the need to take prompt action for its improvement. Regarding the vacant post of Joint Director, he said that a person fit for the post should be immediately sent.  

            The Information and Publicity Minister replying to the motion said that the government felt the importance and urgency of reviving MIC, Delhi. Regarding the post of Joint Director, he said it was subsequently abolished as a policy of downsizing. He reiterated that the government had no plan to abolish MIC, Delhi and measures to revive the staff strength would be taken up. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha, MLA also made observations on the present condition of MIC, Delhi. 

            (ii)       Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA called the attention of Loktak Development Authority Minister on the misappropriation of money in purchase of 2 (two) dredging Machines. Quoting the March 5th, 2006 Kangleipak Meira edition, he observed that the LDA was defunct and had failed to function successfully in maintaining the lake and its surrounding environment from further degradation. He said that inspite of the funds allocated for the LDA remained ineffective. Expressing apprehension of misappropriation of money in purchase of two dredging machines, he raised queries on the condition and operation of the machines.           

            Shri Ngamthang Haokip, Minister (Loktak Development Authority) replying to the motion refuted the charges of misappropriation of money in purchasing the Dredging Machines. He said that tender notifications were issued in the national papers and other necessary formalities were observed. He informed the House that the total cost of the machines was Rs. 2.40 crores. He further said that both the machines were fully functional. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister supplementing the reply observed that the Loktak Hydro Electric project might fail if measure to improve the lake were not taken up timely. He informed the house that a team of Australian experts had been entrusted to prepare a detailed project report for clearing of phumdis. He said that the Rs 41 crores sanctioned by the North Eastern Council would be utilised for the said project. The Loktak Bill, 2006 would be introduced in the House to protect the lake and enhance legal authority of LDA, he added. 

(Hon’ble Chairman, Shri R.K. Thekho adjourned the House at 1.00 p.m. till  2.00 p.m. of the day).

            (The afternoon session resumed at 2.05 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh in the Chair). 

SHORT DURATION DISCUSSION:

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA raised a discussion on the failure to submit Utilisation Certificate for implementation of Central Funded Scheme. Quoting a news report of 1st March 2006 edition  of the Poknapham Daily, he expressed apprehension of a number of projects being stopped due to the non-implementation of work and non-submission of utilisation certificate. The CAG Report also reflected the inability to utilise properly the funds sanctioned by the Centre and the delay in completion many projects thereby incurring extra cost for the projects, he added.   

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister replying to the discussion said that priority was given to Centrally Sponsored Schemes in terms of releasing fund and its implementation. He informed that out of the total amount of Rs 548.45 crores sanctioned for 58 projects under NLCPR, Rs 316.22 crores had been utilised out of the amount of Rs 372.77 crores which was released. Regarding Thoubal, Khuga and Dolaithabi projects, he informed that works were going on in full swing at present for its completion and invited all Members for seeing the progress of these projects. The details of the projects for the different departments would be furnished within this current session, he added. 

DISCUSSION AND VOTING ON DEMANDS FOR GRANTS, 2006-2007: 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved Demand No. 15 - Food & Civil Supplies,  Demand No. 16 -  Co-operation, Demand No. 19 - Environment & Forest, Demand No. 44 - Social Welfare Department and  Demand No. 46 - Science & Technology. 

            The Hon’ble Speaker, clubbed all the five demands for a joint consideration. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA moving cut motions highlighted the failure of PDS in the state and observed the need for formulating a way out. Regarding Environment and Forest, a proper policy need to be implemented for checking deforestation and for ecological balance, he added.  

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA mover of cut motion, said that the PDS need to be monitored properly and also observed the need for proper channeling of the manpower in the FCS Department. He also pointed out the need for increasing the fund allocation of the Cooperation Department. The Old Age Pension Rules need to be amended, he added. Further, he drew the attention of the concerned Minister to the deforestation for settlement purpose and quarrying in the hills of Langol and its adjoining areas.  

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA moving cut motion incorporated his notice of Half-an-Hour Discussion regarding the non-payment of salaries to 6 employees of IREP. These six employees got their salaries from the non-plan fund since May 2002 till October 2005 only, he highlighted and drew the attention of the Chief Minister for payment of their salaries. Regarding Environment and Forest, he observed that deforestation leads to ecological imbalance which had a direct effect on humanity. He therefore suggested the need for enforcing strict rules to check deforestation. 

            Shri Ngamthang Haokip, Minister (Food & Civil Supplies, Environment & Forest and Science & Technology) replying to the discussion informed that there was no shortage of PDS items in the godown and monthly allocations for all the districts were sanctioned but the concerned DCs  who were authorised for transportation of these items did not perform their task and so the items could not be made available to the public. Under the Annapurna Scheme free rice were given to 8590 beneficiaries, he added. Afforestation was in full swing with the cooperation of NGOs, he said and added that the Manipur Pollution Control Board was functioning properly despite of insufficient fund. Solid Waste Management Project would be set up at Lamdengkhunou, he added. He  highlighted the achievements of Environment and Forest Department like the installation of Electronic display Board near Sanjengthong and the ongoing construction of Thangal General Ecological Park. He asserted that protection of forest require awareness and cooperation of the public. Regarding the non-payment of salaries to the 6 employees of Science and Technology Department under Integrated Rural Energy Planning, he informed the house that he had consulted the Finance Commissioner and a Cabinet Memo had been prepared for settlement of the problem. He also said that several computers had been given to various schools and many villages were electrified under MANIREDA, he informed the house and appealed to the movers to withdraw the cut motions. 

            Further clarifications were given to the queries of S/shri L. Ibomcha, M. Nilachandra Singh and Dr. Nimaichand Luwang MLAs. 

            Smt. W. Leima Devi, Minister (Cooperation and Social Welfare Department) replying to the discussion informed the House that a Ten Point Programme had been introduced for Cooperation Department for streamlining its internal functions and the department had picked out moribund societies for reviving. Regarding Manipur State Co-Operative Union, she said that democratic norms had been reintroduced and election had been held. Through ICM, various cooperative training had been conducted, she further said. The Manipur State Handloom House had been opened with the investment from Manipur State Co-operative Bank and cooperative Melas had been held at Imphal, she added. The Co-operative society of the women vendors of Khwairamband Bazar had been formed with loan given by Imphal Urban Co-Operative Bank, she further informed. The revenue targeted in 2005-6 was Rs 11 Lakhs and it was achieved with surplus. Regarding Social Welfare Department she admitted to amend the rules of Old Age Pension Scheme and she assured the House that they would be amended very soon in consultation with the department’s officials. And she sought the cooperation of the Members to pass the Bill.           

            At the end of the discussion, all the cut motions raised  were withdrawn and the five demands, Demand Nos. 15, 16, 19, 44 and 46 were unanimously passed by the House.  

INTRODUCTION OF GOVERNMENT BILLS: 

            (i)        Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Manipur) Tenth Amendment Bill, 2006.           

                        The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced. 

            (ii)       Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Salaries and Allowances of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (Manipur) Amendment Bill, 2006. 

                        The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced. 

            (iii)     Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Salaries and Allowances of Chairman of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas        Committee) Second Amendment Bill, 2006. 

                        The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced. 

            (iv)      Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Salaries and Allowances of Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board (Manipur) Third Amendment Bill, 2006.

                        The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced. 

            (v)       Shri Ngamthang Haokip, Forest & Environment Minister moved for leave  to introduce the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection)  Bill, 2006. 

                        The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced. 

            (vi)      Shri T. Phunzathang, Hills & Tribal Development Minister moved for leave to introduce the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (Second  Amendment) Bill, 2006. 

                        The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced. 

            (vii)     Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Municipality (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2006. 

                        The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced. 

            (viii)    Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Public Servants’ Personal Liability Bill, 2006. 

                        The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced.

INTRODUCTION OF PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILL: 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Official Language (Amendment) Bill, 2006. 

            The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced.

            Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh adjourned the House at 5.10 p.m. till 11.00 a.m. of Monday, the 13th March, 2006.