The House assembled at 11.00 am of Thursday, the 9th 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 (Power) made a reply to Starred Question No. 960 asked by  Shri  I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA regarding the issue of new transformers for Singjamei A/C. 

            (b)       Hon’ble Minister of State (Vety. & A.H.) made a reply to Starred Question No. 961  asked  by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the reconstitution of Manipur Veterinary  and Animal Husbandry Service Rule 1994. 

            (c)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) made a reply to Starred Question No. 962 asked by  Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA regarding the progress of work of Senapati -Phaibung Road. 

            (d)       Hon’ble Minister (Power) made a reply to Starred Question No. 963 asked by  Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the progress of Tipaimukh Hydro Electric Project  and Loktak Down Stream Electric Project. 

            (e)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) made a reply to Starred Question No. 964 asked by  Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA regarding the  issue of bitumen for I.V.R. repairing works. 

            (f)        Hon’ble Minister (Power) made a reply to Starred Question No. 965 asked by  Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the  non-functioning of Heavy Fuel Power Project, Leimakhong. 

            (g)       Hon’ble Minister (P.H.E.D.) made a reply to Starred Question No. 966 asked by Dr. S. Budhichandra Singh, MLA regarding the incomplete works of Water Supply Schemes in Konthoujam A/C. 

            (h)       Hon’ble Minister (Power) made a reply to Starred Question No. 967 asked by Shri Nongthombam Biren, MLA regarding the  irregularities in the power supply. 

            (i)        Hon’ble Minister (Works) made a reply to Starred Question No. 968 asked by Shri M. Nabadwip Singh, MLA regarding the non-completion of Naoremthong- Lukram Leirak leading to Tiddim road. 

            Answers to Starred Question Nos. 969, 970 & 971 were laid on the Table of the House. 

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        S/Shri I. Hemochandra Singh and L. Ibomcha Singh, MLAs called the attention of Chief Minister on the steps taken by the Government Departments to fill up the posts held by the adhoc employees through open D.P.C. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA observed that it was a long-pending issue and said that the agitating adhoc employees should be rendered natural justice. He expressed confusion on the measures taken up by the government to fill up the post held by the adhoc employees in some departments and said that it would be a violation of their rights. He wanted the Government to fulfill the assurances given to them by framing a policy   to regularise them. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA co-mover of the motion expressed the need to frame rules for the regularisation of adhoc employees. He said that even though all of them could not be accommodated, some of the efficient ones may be regularised. He said that the Government should consider their demands by holding DPC for their appointment on regular  basis. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister replying to the motion observed that the case was within the purview of the Hon’ble High Court and it would be inappropriate to discuss in the House. He invited the movers of the motion to attend a meeting on 11th March 2006, saturday in his office chamber to chalk out a solution. He further said that the government had no intention to victimise the agitating adhoc employees. 

            (ii)       Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA called the attention of the Finance Minister on the misappropriation of deposit money to the tune of Rs. 2,71,67,775/- by North-Eastern Trade Finance Investment Co-Limited on the pretext of giving loans to the applicants. He said that a board of Directors consisting of 9 members were involved in the alleged collection of over Rs. 3 crores from over 1400 persons. He also mentioned the name of Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA as one of its members. Highlighting the mushrooming of unauthorised private banks in the state, he emphasised the need to check it timely. He said that it was misuse of the State economy and expressed apprehension that it would harm the social harmony of the people.            

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister informed the House that a case had been registered against the company based on the complaints of two of its sub-agents. He said that the investigation was in progress and steps had been taken up to arrest the persons involved. 

(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). 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF LEAVE: 

            Hon’ble Speaker announced that Shri Bijoy Koijam, MLA had applied for leave of absence of the House. The House granted leave.  

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

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved Demand No. 5 - Finance Department,  Demand No. 9 -  Information & Publicity, Demand No. 23 - Power, Demand No. 28 - State Excise,  Demand No. 29 - Sales Tax, Other Taxes/Duties on Commodities & Services  and  Demand No. 43 - Horticulture and Soil Conservation. 

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

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA moving cut motions proposed for exempting Meitei and Meitei Muslims from income tax. He also proposed to give adequate ex-gratia for the ADC, Moreh who was killed on duty and also to give a befitting job to his son under die-in-harness. He stressed the streamlining of DIPR and reviving Manipur Information Centre, New Delhi with the allocation of sufficient budgetary provision. Regarding the power department, he wanted the government to reimburse the expenditure incurred by local people in repairing transformers and also to streamline tax collection system. To increase the income of the government, he suggested to introducing the sale of foreign liquor to licence holder. 

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA moving cut motions, sought clarifications regarding the fiscal deficit mentioned in the budget. He charged that 95% of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes failed in Manipur and remarked that it was shameful and unfortunate. He stressed the need of formulating strict rules for proper financial management. He remarked that there was pilferage in sales tax and other taxes and also that VAT was not properly implemented in Manipur. He proposed for organising awareness programme and training of business man regarding VAT. He sought clarification regarding the amount of funds given by National AIDS control Society to Manipur  AIDS Control Society and the amount that had been utilised. He pointed out the problem of non-availability of transformer and wanted power department to check unauthorised power connection. He observed that the government should interfere in the confrontation between the press and the underground organisations. 

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA moving cut motions highlighted the vital importance of the Finance Department and observed that the department should have a clear vision in policy and should monitor expenditure. Proper monitoring of VAT was needed, he observed. Regarding power department, he stressed the need of proper collection of tax without discrimination of consumers and also to penalise the defaulters. Irregular power supply led to irregular water supply, he added, and observed that power supply should be streamlined. Regarding Excise Department, he proposed to lift Prohibition Act in consultation with public leaders so as to augment the state’s income. Regarding Horticulture Department, he proposed to take up fruit plantation on hills to prevent jhumming and soil erosion.  

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA  moving cut motion, pointed out the irregular power supply to JN Hospital and stressed the need of regular power supply to hospitals. He charged that the power department failed to supply adequate power to villages and also that rural electrification was only on paper and not in the field. He also highlighted the problem of non-availability of transformers at various areas and wanted the government to penalise power thieves. He strongly charged that only one- third of the allocated fund was utilised after much pilferage in the power department. Regarding Horticulture Department, he also charged that the Technology Mission, after three years of implementation had no achievement so far and added that it was a failure and wastage of money.  

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA participating in the discussion remarked that good financial management is the backbone of administration and suggested to streamline the functioning of the finance department. He wanted either to abolish the state lotteries department for non-functioning or to redeploy the 55 employees to other government departments. He pointed out that the government had targeted collection of tax from Sales Tax and other Taxes upto Rs 45 crores but only Rs 38 crores was realised. He observed that there were lapses in financial management in the finance department. He also suggested for expanding the scope of tax collection, particularly from musical concerts or fairs or exhibitions. Regarding the Power Department, he pointed out irregularities in the purchase of materials and expressed suspicion on the misappropriation of fund in this regard. He wanted to check the irregularities and fix responsibilities to the department officials. He strongly opposed the passing of Demand for Power Department. 

            Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA participating in the discussion drew the attention of the power Minister to improve power supply system in Thoubal District particularly the load shedding management in Kakching area and wanted to provide security for the protection of power sub-stations in Kakching area. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA moving cut motions charged the Excise Department for failing to implement Prohibition Act properly in the state and wanted the government to lift the prohibition for the enhancement of state revenue. On power department he pointed out the lack of adequate store materials for maintenance and wanted more fund to be earmarked to meet the requirements. Regarding the issue of  No-Due Certificate to the employees, an easy method must be introduced for convenience, he observed. 

            Shri Gaikhangam, Minister (Information & Publicity,  Power and Horticulture & Soil Conservation) replying to the demand discussion said that the department was taking serious attention to improve power supply system in the state and added that 800 transformers would be procured by June this year. Regarding the non-delivery of conductors and other materials, he informed the house that the M/S Gold Shine Trade Links, Jaipur and M/S Roma Enterprise, Mumbai had been issued show cause notices and added that the department would take up necessary steps to recover the excess payment in case they failed to deliver the materials. He further informed the house that supply orders were issued under term and agrement and added that action would be taken up against the Firms if they violated the agreement. A detailed enquiry was being made in the department and a report in this regard would be made available in the house before the discussion of Appropriation Bill, he said. He appealed to all consumers to clear electricity bills in time. Regarding Horticulture, the department was ready to rectify mistakes for proper implementation of the Technology Mission, he said.  For the development of DIPR, he informed the house that sufficient fund would be earmarked  to upgrade the department to a major department. He appealed to all cut movers to withdraw their cut motions for passing the demands. 

            S/Shri O. Joy Singh, Dr Nimaichand Luwang and L. Ibomcha Singh, MLAs sought further clarification. Shri O. Joy Singh and Dr Nimaichand Luwang, MLAs urged the house to have a proper debate on the matter and wanted to constitute a House Committee in this regard. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister said that without a specific charge on the matter, the constitution of House Committee was not required. He further said that the department could take up action if the Firms violated the terms and agreement. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister in charge of Finance, State Excise and Sales Tax, Other Taxes/Duties on Commodities & Services replying to the demand discussion informed that the government was processing to extend benefit to the aggrieved family of the MCS Grade-I Officer (ADC) who was killed while on duty and added that appointment of a kin under die-in-harness scheme would be considered. The annual target of collecting revenue from Excise could be achieved, he said. Due to the various austerity measures taken up by the government, he informed, financial condition of the state had improved considerably. Highlighting various financial achievements of the state like reducing  revenue deficit, fiscal deficit, earmarking more fund for development, no diversion of plan money for non-plan expenditure, bringing down the number of days under Ways and Means Advance, etc. he said that the centre being pleased with the achievement of the state was considering to reschedule the repayment of public debts for another 20 years at a very law interest rate and further expressed confidence that some of the loans might be waived as a reward. He further informed that 6 Treasury Offices had been computerised for maintaining financial discipline. Collection of sales tax he said, had improved after the introduction of VAT and added that the overall financial condition of the state had improved. He, therefore, appealed to  cut movers to withdraw and allow the demand to pass.   

            At the end of the discussion, all the cut motions raised except on Demand No. 23 - Power were withdrawn and the five demands, Demand Nos. 5, 9, 28, 29 and 43 were passed by the House. At the time of passing Demand No. 23 - Power, all the opposition members staged a walkout in protest against the passing of the Demand. 

            Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh adjourned the House at 6.40 p.m. till 11.00 a.m. of Friday, the 10th March, 2006.