The House assembled at 11.00 am of Friday, the 3rd 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 Chief Minister gave a reply to Starred Question No. 909  asked by Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA regarding the beneficiaries under S.E.G.P. Scheme. 

            (b)       Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 917 asked by Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA regarding the replacement of unserviceable street lamps. 

            (c)       Hon’ble Minister (Education/S) made a reply to Starred Question No. 919 jointly asked by S/Shri L. Ibomcha Singh and M. Nilchandra Singh, MLAs regarding the appointment of Hindi Graduate Teachers. Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA wanted to have a detail discussion and wanted to raise it as a Half-an-Hour discussion. 

            (d)       Hon’ble Minister (Education/S) made a reply to Starred Question No. 920 asked by Dr. S. Budhichandra Singh, MLA regarding the Government High Schools in Konthoujam A/C. 

            (e)       Hon’ble Minister (Labour) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 921 asked by Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA regarding the construction of I.T.I. Kakching building. 

            (f)        Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 922 asked by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the  pataland used for the construction of Game Village. 

            (g)       Hon’ble Minister (Medical) made a reply to Starred Question No. 923 asked by Shri E. Biramani Singh, MLA regarding the  provision for opening of P.H.S.C./P.H.C. 

            (h)       Hon’ble Minister (Medical) made a reply to Starred Question No. 925 asked by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the  declaration of Shija Hospital, Langol as a referred hospital. 

            (i)        Hon’ble Minister (Medical) made a reply to Starred Question No. 926 asked by  Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the  condition of J.N. Hospital, Porompat. 

            Answers to Starred Questions No. 916, 918 & 924 were laid on the Table of the House. 

ZERO-HOUR: 

            During Zero-Hour, Shri Nongthombam Biren, MLA drew the attention of the Chief Minister to the statement of Km. Naobi Devi regarding the inhuman treatment meted out by Thoubal Police Commando, which was reported in the print and electronic media. 

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA called the attention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister for payment of salaries of the State Government Employees prior to the Yaoshang festival. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA drew the Chief Minister’s attention on the police image being tarnished by the atrocious act of the police commando personnel in connection with the torture of Km. Naobi Devi. 

PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEE REPORT:  

            Shri Thangso Baite, MLA Chairman of the Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes presented the Tenth Report and the Eleventh Report. 

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA called the attention of the Education(S) Minister on the detection of the fake appointees in the Department. Quoting a news report of 1st March, 2006 of the Sangai Express (English), he enquired about the verification process of 979 teachers and the details and follow-up action to be taken against the 108 teachers who were detected as fake appointees. He further enquired about the non-furnishing of the document required for verification in respect of the 214 teachers in Churachandpur District and sought the detail information from the Minister concerned. He expressed apprehension about the involvement of department officials including high ranking one in this case. He expressed his desire for constituting a House Committee. 

            Shri Francis Ngajokpa, Minister Education (S) replying to the calling attention motion said that the present controversy of fake appointments was the handiwork of the previous governments and added that the present Government and the Department concerned were doing a very good job in trying to solve the case. He informed that the department had handed over the case of 979 teachers, which were doubtful, to the Vigilance Department and 300 cases had been verified so far out of which 108 cases were found to be fake. He further informed that a case had been filed against the 214 teachers in Churachandpur District. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA further sought the relevant documents including pay bills, appointment orders, etc. in respect of the 214 teachers and the time frame for the verification process.  

            Shri Francis Ngajokpa, Minister Education (S) replied that no time frame could be given at present considering the magnitude of the case and informed that the details of the 214 teachers would be intimated to the Members. 

(Hon’ble Chairman, Shri R.K. Thekho adjourned the House at 12.52 p.m. till  2.00 p.m. of the day).

            (The afternoon session resumed at 2.10 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh in the Chair).

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

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister  moved Demand No. 4- Land Revenue, Stamps & Registration and District Administration;  Demand No. 8-  Public Works Department; Demand No. 26- Administration of Justice; Demand No. 35- Stationery & Printing; Demand No. 42- State Academy of Training and Demand No. 11- Medical, Health and Family Welfare Services. 

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

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA moving cut motions pointed out the failure of civil administration in the hill districts and the inconveniences caused by it to the people. Regarding the centralisation of land records, he said that the department should transfer it to the concerned revenue district administration. He observed that the Works Department lacked technical supervision while constructing roads and bridges. He mentioned the deteriorating condition of the Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres and said that the Government failed to provide minimum essential laboratory services. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA moving cut motions observed that the amount earmarked for computerisation of land records was less and need revision. Regarding the Works Department, he said that due to slow funding, there was delay in implementing the various works and wanted the Government to be more liberal in this respect. He stressed the need to control the private clinics by enacting an Act. He also observed that a specific policy programme to control AIDS should be framed. 

            Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA participating in the discussion highlighted the difficulties faced by the people due to bad condition of NH-39 and other major roads. He made observations on the need to improve Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres for providing essential services.  

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA participating in the discussion said that proper site for drainage system in Imphal Municipal area should be provided by the Revenue Department. Regarding the widening of roads, he said that the rate of compensation should be revised. He also expressed suspicion of supply of fake stamps. He pointed out the need for quality control in the construction of roads to make transportation smooth and easy. He also made observations on non availability of free items in the Government Hospitals and other Health Centres. 

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA made observations on the need to strengthen the working system of the district administration. He wanted the Revenue Department to effectively collect land revenue for bringing about resource mobilisation. He expressed that the improvement works of the important MDRs, ODRs, IVRs should be sped up before the onset of rainy season. He said that proper medical facilities should be provided specially for the people in the hill districts.             

            Shri Th. Debendra Singh, Minister (Land Revenue, Stamps & Registration and District Administration; Public Works Department & Administration of Justice) clarifying to the demand discussion said that the present budget allocation for Works department was not enough to maintain all the roads in the State but added that efforts were on to get funds from other financial agencies like NEC, Asian Development Banks etc. for the purpose. He highlighted the plans of the Government to construct DC offices at all the District Headquarters and added that implementation of developmental works would be monitored for maintaining quality. Works Department, he informed, had shortage of manpower due to deployment of some employees of the department for implementation of PMGSY scheme. He further informed that construction of Irilbung and Yairipok bridge would be completed soon and further added that repairing of Thoubal-Yairipok road, Yairipok-Keithelmanbi road, Andro road etc. would also be taken up. He also informed that construction of Keishamthong bridge and Lamlong bridge would be taken up soon as fund was already sanctioned. Repairing of NH-39 from Pallel would begin after the arrival and installation of Hot Mix Plant, he said and further informed that repairing work of Pallel-Chandel road was stalled due to interference by some NGOs. Clarifying to the Cut Motions on Revenue Department, he said that the department lacked administrative efficiency due to shortage of qualified officers. He further informed that land records would be computerised for better efficiency and easier detection of fake pattas. He finally appealed to the cut movers to withdraw and allow the demand to pass.   

            Shri L. Nandakumar Singh, Minister (Medical, Health and Family Welfare Services) clarifying to the demand discussion said that according to his record medicines for free distribution were available in the District Hospitals including JN hospitals and admitted that the CT scan machine was not working and further informed that the Government would either repair it or purchase a new one. Churachandpur District Hospital, he said was running very effectively. He also said that shortage staff in many Sub-Centres were due to shortage of manpower of the department and further informed that the Cabinet had given the approval for appointment of doctors and paramedical staffs. He further informed that the Government is contemplating to transfer doctors and medical staffs to the hill and rural areas by rotation. Medical equipment for PHCs of Jiribam, Moirang, Kangpokpi etc. would be purchased with funds from NLCPR. He further clarified that Manipur State AIDS control Policy was framed in 1996. Construction of Thoubal District Hospital, improvement of JN hospital, procurement of new equipment, etc. were some of the achievements of the Government, he highlighted. He also highlighted the plans of the Government to repair the T.B. Hospital, District Hospitals, upgrading of J.N. Hospital, construction of 15 PHEs, construction of Regional Diagnostic Centres, construction of quarters for doctors in the hill areas etc. He finally appealed to the movers of Cut Motions to withdraw for passing by the House.  

            At the end of the discussion, all the cut motions were withdrawn and the six demands  Demand Nos. 4, 8, 11, 26, 35 & 42 were unanimously passed by the House. 

CONSIDERATION AND PASSING OF THE MANIPUR STATE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN BILL, 2006: 

            Smt. W. Leima Devi, Social Welfare Minister moved: 

            “That the Manipur State Commission for Women Bill, 2006 be taken into consideration”. 

            Giving a brief statement, she said that such a commission in the sate was long overdue as the National Commission for Women was constituted way back in 1990. Such a state commission, she said, would help in making women, the weaker section of the society, aware of their rights and powers. She further pointed out that such a commission was all the more necessary considering the present situation prevailing in the state. The commission, she said, would address all the issues related with women. She finally appealed to all the Members to pass the bill unanimously for the upliftment and empowerment of women. 

            S/Shri Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, S. Ibohal Singh, Th.Tomba Singh and M. Bhorot Singh, MLAs participated in the discussion and expressed their views.           

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister supplemented to the discussion and said that the Bill was delayed waiting for the concurrence of the Union Ministry and added that the Commission would be under the Social Welfare Department. He further said that there would be no room for politicalisation in the  appointment of Chairperson and Members of the Commission and added that the recommendation of the commission would be respected by the government. He sought the cooperation of all the Members for passing the Bill. 

            W. Leima Devi, Minister (Social Welfare) moved the bill for passing. 

            After clause by clause consideration  the Manipur State Commission for Women Bill, 2006 was passed unanimously by the House. 

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS: 

            Shri R.K. Dorendra Singh, MLA mover of the resolution highlighted the progress of the on-going peace talk between the Government of India and the NSCN(IM). He informed the House that the people of Manipur had the apprehension that the territorial integrity of Manipur might be affected by the talk. He observed that deputing one representative of Manipur in the peace talk would be proper to maintain the transparency of the peace talk. Regarding the insurgent outfits of the valley, he suggested that a composite solution was necessary and steps should be initiated for holding dialogue with them as well. In the light of such a context, he moved the following resolution: 

            “That this august House unanimously resolves to urge the Government of India to depute one representative of Manipur in the ongoing peace talk between the Government of India and the NSCN(IM) and also to take up initiative for holding dialogue with the insurgent outfits of the valley.” 

            Dr. M. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA co-mover of the resolution highlighted the historical background of insurgency in Manipur. He observed that Oscar Fernandes’ statement that the problem of Naga insurgency would be solved very soon, caused apprehension in the minds of the people of Manipur. He remarked that the process of unification of Naga inhabited areas would be very difficult. Further, he suggested that a representative each from Manipur and other North Eastern states in the peace talk was necessary for bringing a common settlement. He asserted that the people of Manipur had suffered the impact of insurgency for  a long time and that as such the government should take up initiatives for bringing peace by holding dialogue with the insurgent outfits of the valley. He proposed that the Central or the State Government could start the peace talk process through the leaders of different civil organizations.            

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister replying to the resolution said that the time was not yet right for deputing a representative of Manipur in the peace talk between the Government of India and the NSCN(IM) because the Centre had already informed the state government that the state government would be consulted from time to time. He expressed that the state government did not oppose the suspension of operation between the Army and the Kuki insurgent groups and said that the ground rules were not clear. He said that there was no need for apprehension of disintegration of Manipur and asked the movers to withdraw the resolution.  

            At the assurance given by the Chief Minister on the floor of the House, the resolution was withdrawn. 

            Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh adjourned the House at 7.00 p.m. till 11.00 a.m. of Monday, the 6th March, 2006.