No.98
Friday, the 24th February, 2006.
Phalguna 5, 1927 (Saka)

The House assembled at 11.00 am of Friday, the 24th 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 44 Elected Members. 

QUESTIONS:  

            (a)       Hon’ble Minister of State (Art & Culture.) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 877  asked  by Erabot Yumkham, MLA regarding the construction of building at Lunghar.           

            (b)       Hon’ble Chief Minister gave a reply to Starred Question No. 878 asked by  Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the expenditure on ex-gratia. 

            (c)       Hon’ble Minister (Agriculture) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 879  asked by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the amount sanctioned towards the “Awa Kege” plantation. 

            (d)       Hon’ble Minister (Minor Irrigation) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 880 asked  by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the development works within  Sekmai A/C.           

            (e)       Hon’ble Minister (Health) made a reply to Starred Question No. 881 asked  by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the building of P.H.S.C. 

            (e)       Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 882 asked by  Shri E. Biramani Singh, MLA regarding the plan money for the year 2006-2007. 

            (e)       Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 883 asked  by Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA regarding the Right to Information Act.           

ZERO HOUR: 

                         Shri Ningthoujam Biren Singh, MLA drew the attention of the concerned Minister to the present traffic congestion in and around Imphal city. 

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (1)       Shri B.D Behring,MLA called the attention of the Home Minister on the demolition of the bridges in the Molcham area under Chandel district. He said that the two bridges were within the boundary of Manipur and still used by the local people. Expressing concern of the people over the possible take over of the two bridges by the Myanmar government he wanted to know the stand of the government in this matter. Regarding the missing border pillars, he said that the matter should be reported to the Central Government. 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, replying to the motion, said that the information was unauthenticated and baseless. He said that there was no stand of the Central Government to handover the two bridges to the Myanmar authorities. He informed the house that there was no room for apprehension in this matter. 

            Shri B.D Behring,MLA further said that the missing boundary pillars should be re-erected to safeguard the boundary. 

            Regarding the boundary pillar dispute, the Chief Minister stated that it was within the purview of the government of India and the State government was pursuing the matter with the Centre. 

            (2)       Shri I. Hemochandra Singh,MLA called the attention of Revenue Minister on the widening of National Highway 39 from Krishna Premi Oil Pump upto Singjamei. He wanted the Government to revise the rate of compensation as it was too low and irrational. Regarding the displaced persons, he said that the government should provide an alternative site for them. He also pointed out the need to delay the demolition process in view of the ensuing school examinations. 

            The Revenue Minister, replying to the motion said that the compensation rate was fixed on a specific basis. Acknowledging the cooperation of the public, he said that the government would render help to the displaced persons and that other aspects would be considered. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA and Shri L. Ibomcha Singh,MLA expressed the need to reasonably fix the compensation rate. 

            The Chief Minister said that the eviction process was done to avoid congestion and that there was no bais on the part of the government. 

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

            Shri R.K. Dorendra  Singh, MLA participating in the discussion observed that the Government should create an atmosphere to hold political dialogues to solve the age-long insurgency. He stressed the need to bring about economic independence in the State. Regarding the eviction of NH-39, he said that the Government should revise the compensation rate by acquiring Central funds and that the displaced persons should be rehabilitated properly. 

(Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh adjourned the House at 1.10 p.m.  till 2.10 p.m. of the day). 

(The afternoon session resumed at 2.15 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh in the Chair).  

            Shri M. Nilchandra, MLA  moving amendments to the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address commented that the address failed to show direction and priority areas of development . He was also very critical about the lack of initiative from the State and Central Governments for a peaceful dialogue with the insurgent groups. He further pointed out the failure of the Power Department, lack of infrastructure development and the complete failure of PDS in the state. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA moving amendment to the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address said that guns could not solve the problem of insurgency and critically commented on the lack of will of the Government to solve it. The address, he said, failed to reflect the devolution of power to the Panchayats thereby resulting to lack of development in the villages. He further commented on the failure of PDS and added that a specific policy was required to control HIV/AIDS. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA moving amendments to the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address said that the outlook of the Central Government towards the State had changed for the better, yet the present SPF Government was unable to reap that benefit. He said that the address failed to show a new vision and direction for the upliftment of society. He further commented that the address failed to reflect a concrete proposal for a peaceful dialogue with the insurgent groups. He was very critical on the failure of the Government to implement policies properly, lack of maintenance of quality while implementing works and also on the failure of PDS. He further urged the Government for some rehabilitation packages for the displaced families of Manipur University campus. 

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA moving amendment to the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address said that the address failed to spell out steps for a peaceful negotiation with the insurgents. He pointed out that PDS of the State was a complete failure. He further said that a clear reservation policy was absent in the address. He urged the Government to be judicious while awarding contracts for development works and also awards to meritorious sportspersons. He also drew the attention of Commerce and Industries Minister for revival and maintenance of the Spinning Mill at Loitang Khunou. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister replying to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address said that restoration of Kangla, conversion of MU to a Central University, bringing railways to the State and completion of Loktak Downstream Project for the improvement of power in the State were the main priorities of the SPF Government. He also informed that the Government was planning to upgrade RIMS to the status of AIIMS with the help of Central funds. He expressed confidence that Khuga Project, Thoubal Project and Dolaithabi Project could be completed very soon since UPA Government at the Centre had allocated funds judiciously for their completion. He further said that the Government was giving extra attention to the development of hill areas to bridge the imbalance between hill and valley areas for which Mini Secretariat at all district headquarters and quarters for teachers and doctors would also be built. Improvement of roads in hill areas specially in Tamenglong would be taken up at a war footing. He appealed to the movers of Amendment Motions to withdraw the Motion and adopt the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address. The amendments were withdrawn and the House adopted the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address unanimously.  

INTRODUCTION OF BILL: 

            Shri W. Leima Devi Minister Social Welfare introduced the Manipur State Commission for Women Bill, 2006. 

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ RESOLUTION: 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA moving a Private Members’ Resolution pointed out that killing, torture, extortion, kidnapping, etc. which had become the order of the day which hindered any development in the State for long years was the fallout of the decade long problem of insurgency prevailing in the State. He further added that peaceful dialogue with various underground outfits was the only way out to a lasting peace in the State. Therefore he expressed his desire for passing the resolution as the first step towards peaceful dialogue as a beginning towards this end had to be made. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA supporting the Motion said that ceasefire with various underground outfits with proper coordination between the State Government and the Army authorities should pave the way for peace to prevail in the State. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA supporting the motion suggested for a meticulous discussion about the possible outcome before declaring such a ceasefire. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister replying to the discussion said that the Government was open for talks with any underground outfits since a long time. He was of the opinion that the modalities for ceasefire need to be spelt out clearly before declaring any ceasefire with any underground outfits and therefore sought the cooperation of everyone in working out a solution to the problem. He further added that as the matter was a delicate and age-old issue, any hasty decision at the moment regarding the matter would be inappropriate. He appealed to the mover for withdrawing the Resolution.  

The Resolution was withdrawn by the mover. 

Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh adjourned the House at 5.10 p.m. till 11.00 a.m. of Monday, the 27th February, 2006.