The House assembled at 11.00 am. of Wednesday, the 16th March, 2005 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair.

       Hon’ble Chief Minister, 10 Cabinet Ministers, Chairman (Hill Areas Committee),1 Minister of State and 46 Elected Members.

QUESTIONS:

(a)      Hon’ble Minister, Education (S) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 669, jointly asked by
          S/Shri Erabot Yumkham and E. Biramani Singh, MLAs regarding the transfer and posting of
          teachers.

(b)     Hon’ble Minister (Social Welfare) made a  reply to  Starred Question  No. 670,  asked  by
          Shri N. Sovakiran Singh, MLA regarding the issue of forms for MOAP Scheme.

(c)     Hon’ble  Minister (Co-operation)  gave  a  reply  to Starred Question No. 671, asked by
          Shri Z. Mangaibou, MLA regarding the implementation of ICDP programme in Tamenglong
          District.

(d)     Hon’ble Minister (IFCD) made a reply to Starred Question No. 672, asked by Shri S. Ibohal
          Singh, MLA regarding the incomplete Projects/ Schemes in the state.

(e)      Hon’ble  Chief  Minister  made  a reply to  Starred Question  No. 673, asked  by
          Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA regarding the pending cases of die-in-harness schemes.

(f)      Hon’ble Minister (IFCD) made a reply to Starred Question No. 674, asked by Shri Y. Mani
           Singh, MLA regarding the maintenance of Imphal Barrage.

(g)     Hon’ble Minister (FCS) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 675, asked by Shri P.S. Henry
          Paotei, MLA regarding the lifting of PDS items meant for Senapati District.

(h)     Hon’ble  Minister (Social Welfare) gave a  reply to Starred Question No. 676, asked by
          Shri B.D. Behring, MLA regarding Blind Schools in the state.

(i)     Hon’ble Minister (LDA) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 677, asked by
         Shri E. Biramani Singh, MLA regarding the reservoir of Loktak Hydro Electric Project.

         Answers to Starred Question Nos. 678, 679 & 680 and Unstarred Question No. 51 were laid on the Table of the House.

           Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA raised a point of order drawing the attention of the Education Minister that order copies of the appointment of cooks and helpers for the schools in the valley districts pertaining to Unstarred Question No. 51 be made available to the House at the earliest so as to enable him to refer to it during the General Discussion on Supplementary Demands for Grants, 2004-2005 slated for 17/3/2005.

             The Secretary, Manipur Legislative Assembly intimated the House the Governors assent to the following Bills:

           (i)      Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA called the attention of Education (S) Minister on the alleged misappropriation of over 10 crores of rupees in the Education (S) Department through enhanced pay fixation and arrears of retired teachers following the 5th Pay Commission as reported in the March 6, 2005 edition of The Sangai Express (English version). He expressed the apprehension that such similar cases might be there undetected. He stressed the need to probe the matter thoroughly.

            Shri Francis Ngajokpa, Minister, Education said that the government was committed to correct and rectify such malpractices. He informed the House that there was only 294 beneficiaries. He added that the order for enhanced pay drawal was latter cancelled by an order dated 06/04/2004.

                S/Shri O. Joy Singh and I. Hemochandra Singh, MLAs participated in the discussion.

               Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA insisted that the copies of the two orders of the enhanced pay fixation and its cancellation be laid on the Table of the House.

               The Education Minister agreed to it.

(ii)           Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA called the attention of MAHUD Minister regarding the construction of temporary market sheds at the Old District Hospital premises. .He wanted to know the exact number of sheds and stalls under construction and the specific criteria for its allotment. He further sought a detailed statement regarding the specific policy of the government on this issue.

             Hon’ble Chief Minister in-charge of MAHUD, while replying to the calling attention, said that the construction of temporary market sheds was necessary in order to accommodate the women vendors and shop owners who would be displaced during the construction of the three markets i.e Purana, Laxmi and New Market. He also said that the design of the market, which was to be constructed, had been modified in consultation with the women vendors. He further informed that regarding the new allotment preference would be given to the Municipality licence holders and the mode of sitting would be similar to the existing mode in order to avoid misunderstandings and unwanted problems. He also informed the House that the market was purely temporary and the government was planning to construct a modern shopping mall, latter on, for which a project report was being prepared.

           Presented the Supplementary Demands for Grants, 2004-2005. He made a statement.

           Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister presented the Budget Estimates, 2005-2006. He made a statement.

          Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved the motion for vote on accounts, 2005.