The House assembled at 11.00 am of Thursday, the 23rd February, 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 46 Elected Members. 

QUESTIONS: 

            (a)       Hon’ble Minister of State (R.D. & P. R.) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 872 asked  by Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA regarding the National Rural Employment  Guarantee Act, 2005. It was further supplemented by the Hon’ble Chief Minister.           

            (b)       Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 873 asked by Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA regarding the compensation of the   Loktak affected areas.

            (c)       Hon’ble Minister (Sericulture) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 874  asked by Shri E. Biramani Singh, MLA regarding the progress of Japan  Sericulture Project.

            (d)       Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 875 asked  by Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA regarding the survey of land records.

            (e)       Hon’ble Minister (P.H.E.D.) made a reply to Starred Question No. 876 asked by Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the water supply schemes in Andro.

            Answer  to Unstarred Question No. 68 was laid on the Table of the House.

ZERO HOUR:

            During Zero Hour, Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA quoting the February 23rd Poknapham publication drew the attention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister on the visit of two members of the State Human Right Commission to the house of Late Shri Bikas in connection with the arrest of Kumari Inaobi and the alleged human rights violation by the police commando at Khangabok following the killing of Shri N. Lokhon, O.C. Thoubal Police Commando and three others.

            Shri B.D. Behring, MLA expressed the desire of the public for live telecast of the Assembly proceedings on ISTV.

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA drew the attention of the Chief Minister on the demise of the Late N. Gourakishore (MPS) and S. Saratchandra and asked the Government to treat their cases as while on duty.

PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEE REPORT:

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister presented the Fifteenth Report of the Business Advisory Committee, 2006 and also moved:

            “That this House agrees with the allocation of time proposed by the Committee.” 

            The House agreed. 

PRESENTATION OF SUPPLEMENTARY DEMANDS FOR GRANTS: 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister presented the Supplementary Demands for Grants, 2005-2006. He also made a short statement. 

PRESENTATION OF BUDGET ESTIMATES: 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister presented the Budget Estimates, 2006-2007. He also made a short statement. 

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA called the attention of F.C.S. Minister on the shortage and non-availability of Kerosene Oil. He said that due to the irregularities in its allocation the people faced much hardship. He reiterated that inspite of the repeated complaints, the Government paid no heed. He wanted the Government to take prompt actions lest the consequence would be alarming. 

            Shri Ngamthang Haokip, F.C.S. Minister, replying to the motion maintained that no written complaints were sent to him. He informed the House that the District administration authorities would be consulted to find out the truth. He asked the people to co-operate in solving the problem. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA further said that the newspaper reports were the voice of the people. He asked the Minister to be more practical in dealing with the problem. 

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA also said that the MLAs were often subjected to threats due to the problem. 

            (ii)       Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA called the attention of I.F.C.D. Minister on the deteriorating condition of Imphal Barrage. He alleged that proper assesment was not conducted at the time of installing the barrage and eventually failed to give the targetted irrigation and drinking water potential. He said that it has become the sorrow of the people of the area. He stressed the need to review the project by re-setting and re-strengthening it. 

(Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh adjourned the House at 1.15 p.m. till 2.15 p.m. of the day). 

(The afternoon session resumed at 2.30 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh in the Chair). 

            Shri T. Phungjathang Minister IFCD replying to the calling attention clarified that scarcity of rainfall, precipitated by deforestation in the catchment area, resulted to the decrease in the water level. He informed the House that fund would be sought for improving the barrage and the completion of Thoubal Project targeted in 2008 would facilitate irrigation. Endorsing the suggestion of Shri O. Joy he stated that the government would take  up necessary measures to make the  Imphal Barrage functional. 

DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION OF THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS

            Dr M. Nara Singh, MLA, mover of the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address  initiated the discussion. Expressing happiness for the full budget session, he stated that the SPF Government had succeeded to overcome the financial constraints of the state. The safeguard of the territorial integrity of the state and maintenance of law and order would be the priorities of the government as mentioned in the address, he said. Highlighting the achievement of the government he mentioned among other things Police modernisation, improvement of infrastructure, restoration of the Kangla, conversion of the Manipur University into a Central University, construction of Capital Project etc. 

            Dr. S. Budhichandra, MLA seconder of the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address stated that the  Governor’s Address was a concise, concrete and people-oriented document. He further asserted that it encompassed all spheres and aspects of the state. A political dialogue with the underground youths was needed for solution of insurgency, he said. The Government had passed Manipur Fiscal responsibility and Budget Management Bill and Value Added Tax with the aim of improving the financial condition, he mentioned. The Government had been trying to solve the acute problem of HIV/AIDS and also to establish Rehabilitation Centres with external fund, he added. 

             Shri I. Hemochandra, MLA initiating the Amendment to the Motion of Thanks to the  Governor’s Address, said that the law and order situation of the state had not improved. He added that the inmates of the Sajiwa Jail were in a miserable condition like non-availability of medicines and other facilities. He suggested for increasing the compensation quantum of the eviction-affected people along the NH39 from Moirangkhom to Singjamei under the road widening process. 

            Shri B.D. Behring, MLA, participating in the discussion said that many state highways connecting District headquarters had not been constructed and suggested for entrusting the work to GREF. He added that Housing Loan Bill of MLAs had not been implemented as the Law Department had not framed relevant rules and also that there are discrepancies in deducting sales tax from Local Area Development Fund of MLAs. He strongly advocated for holding district council election at the earliest for overall development of hill districts. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA participating in the discussion said that the government had failed in all major fronts and added that various projects in the state had not been implemented fully. He pointed out that the government failed to protect life and liberty of the civil society and there was complete breakdown of law enforcing agencies in the state. Expressing concern on the civil administration and overall activities in hill districts, he mentioned among other things, the deplorable road conditions, poor medical and healthcare facilities, non-implementation of Sixth Schedule, non- holding of District Council election, etc. He further said that the public distribution system in the state had failed and wanted the government to monitor its distribution system.  

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA, participating in the discussion charged that the address was full of repetition of the previous years and added that the address had failed to outline the policy and programme for laying down arms by insurgents. He further pointed out that the address was meant only to show the weakness of the government.   

            Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh adjourned the House at 5.03 p.m. till 11.00 a.m. of Friday, the 24th February, 2006.