No. 102
Thursday, the 2nd March, 2006.
Phalguna 11, 1927 (Saka)

The House assembled at 11.00 am of Thursday, the 2nd 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 45 Elected Members.

QUESTIONS:

            (a)       Hon’ble Minister (P.H.E.D.) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 908  asked by  Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the incompletion of Kangla Sungomshang Water Supply Scheme.

            (b)       Hon’ble Minister Works gave a reply to Starred Question No. 910 asked by  Shri M. Nabadwip Singh, MLA regarding the construction of retaining wall and  drainage in Patsoi A/C.           

            (c)       Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) made a reply to Starred Question No. 911 asked  by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the construction of Church building  within the compounds of the Government Quarters at Lamplelpat. The Hon’ble Chief Minister supplemented to it. 

            (d)       Hon’ble Minister of State (RD & PR) made a reply to Starred Question No. 912  asked by Dr. S. Budhichandra Singh, MLA regarding the  construction of  roads in Konthoujam A/C under P.M.G.S.Y.  

            (e)       Hon’ble Minister of State (RD & PR) made a reply to Starred Question No. 913  asked by Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the completion of Yambem  Bazar - Andro Senapati road. 

            (f)        Hon’ble Minister (Power) made a reply to Starred Question No. 914 asked by  Shri N. Sovakiran Singh, MLA regarding the unit of power produced by the  Loktak- Hydro Electric Project during peak hour. 

            (g)       Hon’ble Minister (Commerce & Industries) gave a reply to Starred Question  No. 915 asked by Shri E. Biramani Singh, MLA regarding the items of goods  under the Trade Agreement between India and Myanmar. 

ZERO-HOUR: 

            During Zero-Hour, Shri Bijoy Koijam, MLA drew the attention of the concerned Minister on the failure of district administration due to the indefinite bandh called from 22nd February in Churachandpur for non-installation of electric transformers. 

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA raised a matter on the closure of Chamber of Commerce Hospital. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA raised a matter on the need to open market on Sundays  on a rotation basis in the larger public interest. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA drew the attention of the PWD Minister regarding the inconveniences caused by CRPF personnel deployed at PWD gate and wanted speedy issuing of vehicles pass for the MLAs. 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER: 

            Hon’ble Speaker, made an announcement that he had received a letter from His Excellency, the Governor of Manipur, Dr. S.S. Sidhu, thanking the House for passing the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address.  

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA and Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA called the attention of Home Minister on the missing of one driver and one minor boy on the way from Gauhati to Imphal. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA quoted the February 3rd, Naharolgi Thoudang edition and said that these people were in the service of the people and it was the bounden duty of the government to trace them. He asked the government to mention the steps taken up to prevent such crimes and to maintain a smooth passage on NH-39. 

            Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA co-mover of the motion made allegations against the government for not responding inspite of the timely information to the concerned authorities. He highlighted the sorrow faced by the family members and asked the government to send an official team to locate their whereabouts. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA expressed the need to take up the matter with the Nagaland Government for a lasting solution to such crimes committed on NH-39. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister replying to the motion said that the government was taking up every possible measure to find their whereabouts. In order to improve inter state relationship, the state government was trying to coordinate with the Nagaland government, he added. He informed the House that if necessary, an official team would be sent to seek their whereabouts. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA further suggested to the Chief Minister to open Emergency Help Centres along the NH-39. 

            (ii)       S/Shri L. Ibomcha Singh and N. Sovakiran Singh, MLAs called the attention of Home Minister on the non-release of Km. Naobi Chanu after she was picked up by the Thoubal District Commando. 

Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA expressing apprehension of serious consequences asked the government to mention the charge under which Km. Naobi Chanu was arrested and wanted the FIR to be placed in the House. He wanted the Hon’ble Speaker to give directions to send a team of MLAs to Thoubal Police Station during lunchtime for verification of her physical condition. Regarding the killing of Abdul Hakim at Paona Bazar, he said that the culprits should be booked. He further pointed out the need to take exemplary steps by the Home Department to restore public confidence. 

            Shri N. Sovakiran Singh, MLA co-mover of the motion demanded safe release of Km. Naobi without any condition. He alleged that there were no women police at the time of the arrest and no arrest memo was issued. He expressed apprehension that in view of the public outcry, the issue might snowball into an uncontrollable one. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister replying to the motion said that investigation was going on and if found innocent, she would be released at once. He informed the House that the case was within the purview of the Hon’ble CJM Thoubal. Regarding the case of Abdul Hakim, he said the probe was still going on. He further said that harassment of innocent people by the security forces was not permissible. 

POINT OF ORDER: 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA and Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA raised a point of order on the non-availability of Annual Administrative Reports of the Departments prior to the Demands discussion. 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER: 

            Hon’ble Speaker announced that Shri P. Parijat Singh, Minister Agriculture, had applied for leave of the House w.e.f. 28th February upto 3rd March, 2006. 

(Hon’ble  Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh adjourned the House at 1.08 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). 

SHORT DURATION DISCUSSION: 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA raised a discussion on the influx of foreigners and migrants into the State of Manipur. He pointed out that the influx of migrant began since the British period. He observed that the number of migrants had reached a menacing figure and might outnumber the indigenous people of Manipur, which might affect the socio- economic structure and identity of the state. He pointed out that the Inner Line Permit System had been strictly enforced in the neighboring state and wanted the government to explore a mechanism to check the influx. He observed that a series of communal tension might erupt if civil organisations were allowed a free hand of checking the influx and wanted the government to act in time. 

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA, participating in the discussion observed that a grim situation prevailed in 1993 when a communal clash erupted in Manipur. He also expressed apprehension that the indigenous people of Manipur would be outnumbered by the migrants within 20/25 years. 

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA, participating in the discussion observed that the influx of migrants affected the socio-economic and cultural life of the indigenous people of Manipur. He drew the attention of the Revenue Department and Election Department to initiate identification and checking of the influx of migrants.  

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister replying to the discussion, admitted that the problem of influx of migrants  was more serious now than that of insurgency. He stated the possible factors of influx such as the easy accessibility  of North Eastern states by foreigners from neighbouring countries. Welcoming the suggestion of checking the influx of migrants he informed the house that the matter would be looked into for finding a solution and that the government would remain alert in this context. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra suggested for constitution of a House Committee to look into the matter. 

            The  Hon’ble Speaker gave a ruling that remedial measures might be taken up by giving instruction to the Revenue, Election, Police Departments for checking the influx. 

PAPER LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE HOUSE : 

            Shri Th. Debendra, Minister ( Revenue,  Law & Legislative Affairs and Works) announced the laying of the Gazette copy of Vehicle & Housing Loan of MLAs. 

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

            Shri O. Joy Singh raised a point of order to make available to the Members the Annual Administrative Report of all the Departments before Demand Discussion as a matter of Legislative practice. Demands for which Administrative Report had not been tabled should not be discussed, he said.  

            Shri Th. Debendra Singh, Works Minister observed that discussion could be carried on for the demands of which the Annual Reports were available.  

            Shri S. Ibohal, MLA observed that the Annual Administrative Report was a must for discussion. 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister admitted that the non-availability of  the Annual Administrative Reports was due to the time constraints. 

            Hon’ble Speaker gave a ruling  to discuss only the following demands :- 

Demand No.1- State Legislature, Demand No. 2- Council of Ministers, and Demand No. 22- Public Health Engineering.  

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

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA,  moving a cut motion pointed out that drinking water was not available in the MG avenue area despite the recent inauguration of an overhead tank of water supply nearby. He further stated that Iril Water supply plant, Canchipur Water Supply Project and Kangchup Water Supply Project could not provide adequate drinking water. He pointed out that the Singda Water Treatment Plant was in a bad condition and there was the danger of collapsing. He further observed that the Water Treatment Plant at Waithoupat was not suitable as raw water was not abundant there. He added that the non-payment of remuneration of casual employees in PHED caused irregular water supply.  

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA Co- Mover of cut motion suggested for proper functioning of the Assembly Library and the MLA Service Section.  Regarding PHED, he stated that safe drinking water was not available in many parts of Manipur. He expressed unhappiness that the water supply had not improved despite the fact that the SPF was the most stable government and adequate fund had been provided by the Centre. He wondered whether the quantum of water supply mentioned in the Annual Report of the department was really available to the public. He observed that water resources was in plenty but safe drinking water was not available sufficiently due to the failure of management.  

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA, participating in the discussion observed that the Council of Ministers lacked efficiency and transperancy in the administration of the government and added that they failed to coordinate with each other. Regarding PHED, he said that the department failed to implement water supply schemes in greater Imphal areas and wanted proper management of these schemes. He further said that the department could not utilise even the raw water available and that they failed fair distribution of water to the public. He suggested that the department should implement the Water Supply Act to check unauthorised connection. He said that all the water supply schemes had failed due to shortage of power supply and wanted coordination with the Power Department for smooth functioning of the schemes. He also stressed the need to improve drainage system in the Imphal area. 

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA, participating in the discussion observed that the Council of Ministers should maintain transparency and accountability in the administration of the government and added that improvement of law and order in the state depended on the improvement of state administration. Regarding PHED, he drew the attention of the Minister to maintain balance between rural and urban areas in respect of water supply schemes. 

            Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA, participating in the discussion drew the atttention of the PHED Minister to supply safe drinking water in the Kakching area and proper implementation of Kakching Water Supply Augmentation Plant. 

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA, participating in the discussion stressed the need to replace old pipes with new ones in the water supply system of the PHED and wanted the department to check unauthorised connection for smooth realisation of water tax. He also expressed concern on the non-implementation of Swajal Dhara Scheme. 

            Shri Govindas Konthoujam, Minister (P.H.E.D.), replying to the demand discussion said that water supply system in the state had remarkably improved since the inception of SPF government. He informed the House that all the ongoing water supply schemes would soon be completed and commissioned and added that necessary fund had been earmarked in the present budget. For rural water supply schemes the Ministry of Rural Development would sanction Rs. 40 crores under the Bharat Nirmal Scheme and the work would be started by April this year, he  further informed. Whereas Rs. 94 Lakh had been earmarked for other town for the completion of ongoing water supply schemes, he added. Regarding old pipes, he said that they would be replaced by new pipes and informed the House that the department would check unauthorised connection. He further informed the House that the department would try to improve drainage system in the greater Imphal areas and in the rural areas as well. He said that Irilbung and Canchipur Water supply Schemes would be completed by March this year. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA drew the attention of PHED Minister for the completion of water supply schemes at Singjamei and Canchipur and stressed the need to make available of pipes in the area.   

            At the end of the discussion, all the cut motions were withdrawn and the three demands  Demand Nos. 1, 2 & 22 were passed unanimously by the House. 

CONSIDERATION AND PASSING OF THE MANIPUR APPROPRIATION (No. 1): 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved the Manipur Appropriation (No.1) Bill, 2006 be taken into consideration and passing.

            A fter clause by  clause consideration, The Manipur Appropriation (No.1) Bill, 2006 was passed unanimously by the House. 

            Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh adjourned the House at 6.25 p.m. till 11.00 a.m. of Friday, the 3rd March, 2006.