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

QUESTIONS:

(a) Hon’ble Minister (MAHUD) made a reply to Starred Question No. 693, asked by Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA regarding the building construction of Khwairamband Bazar.

(b) Hon’ble Minister (Education) made a reply to Starred Question No. 694, asked by Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the appointment of cooks for Mid- Day Meal.

(c) Hon’ble Minister (Health) made a reply to Starred Question No. 695, asked by Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA regarding the repairing and renovation of C.H.C. Kakching.

(d) Hon’ble Minister (MAHUD) made a reply to Starred Question No. 696, asked by Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the development of Lamlong Bazar.

(e) Regarding Starred Question No. 697, Shri B.D. Behring, MLA requested the Hon’ble Speaker for some modifications of his question and to make the reply on 21/3/05. The Hon’ble Speaker consented to it.

(f) Hon’ble Chief Minister gave a reply to Starred Question No. 698, asked by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the investigation on payment of ex-gratia.

(g) Hon’ble Minister (Health) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 699, asked by Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA regarding the construction of Urban Health Centre at Singjamei.

(h) Hon’ble Minister (Health) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 700, asked by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the staff strength of P.H.S.C.

(i) Hon’ble Minister (LDA) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 701, asked by Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA regarding the development of Loktak Lake. Hon’ble Chief Minister further supplemented it.

(j) Hon’ble Minister (Minor Irrigation) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 702, asked by Shri N. Sovakiran Singh, MLA regarding construction of dam.

(k) Hon’ble Minister (Education) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 703, asked by Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA regarding the award of improvement/ repairing works of school buildings.

Answer to Starred Question No. 704 was laid on the Table of the House.

Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA drew the attention of the government to make S.K. Oil available to the printing presses.

(a) Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA called the attention of the Chief Minister on the recruitment of 4th IRB personnel. He said that the guidelines laid down by the Home Ministry was not followed in the recruitment process and insisted for a thorough inquiry. He further expressed an apprehension that the youths of the state might be deprived of their employment opportunities in such recruitment.

           Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh, replied to the motion that the guidelines of the Home Ministry was strictly observed and that announcement of the DPC result for recruitment of 4th IRB personnel would be made very shortly as Court permission had been received in this regard.

(b) Shri B.D. Behring, MLA called the attention of the Home Minister to give protection to the Meitei Christians and Kabui Christians, who had been harassed by their neighbours of other religions and cited some instances occurred at different places. Underlining the secular character of the Indian Constitution with reference to Articles 25-28, he strongly urged the government to take up remedial measures for peaceful co- existence.

           Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh, replying to the motion admitted that such incidents were unfortunate and assured the House that steps would be taken up to prevent such incidents in future. He asserted that his Government, being a secular Government, respected all religions without any prejudice.

            Hon’ble Speaker, Shri T.N. Haokip, clubbed the General Discussion on Supplementary Demands for 2004-2005 & Discussion on Voting on Demands for Supplementary Grants, 2004-2005 for a joint discussion.

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA while initiating the General Discussion on Supplementary Demands for Grants, 2004-2005 underlined the duty of the government to work responsibly to gain the losing confidence of the people in the existing parliamentary form of government. A government, he said, should be stable, credible and accountable and critically commented on the politicalisation in the distribution of development works. Expenditure should be made on thrust areas with judicious use of fund keeping in mind the welfare of all sections of people, he said. He also lamented on the deteriorating law and order condition of the state and the lack of proper procedure in the implementation of works programme. He stressed the need to formulate a master plan of road construction for taking developmental works systematically. He further mooted the idea of making necessary arrangements to check the occurrence of flood.

              Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA participating in the discussion observed the need to increase the retirement age to 59 years in view of the ban on fresh appointments. He said that private clinics should be made taxable in order to get extra resources. He also pointed out irregularities in the PWD and further emphasised the need to get more funds from the Ministry of Surface Transport to improve the roads of the state. Regarding the Home Department, he inquired about the status of various Enquiry Commissions constituted by the government. He suggested among other things the effective implementation of PMGSY Schemes, recruitment of meritorious sportpersons, completion of CSS, strengthening and streamlining the public distribution system.

             Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA participating in the discussion stressed the need to check the pilferage of government money in order to improve the financial position of the state. Commenting on the Home Department, he said that looting and killing was on the rise in the city area and further enquired about the question of plebiscite which was demanded by an underground outfit. He critically commented on the nonpayment of salaries of aided school teachers for the last six months. Highlighting various financial scandals in the past like ex-gratia withdrawals, he asked the government to remain alert to safeguard public fund.

           Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA participating in the discussion said that the methodology of utilisation of fund should be productive and people-oriented and emphasised the need for equal development of all the districts and villages. He further pointed out the need for more resource mobilisation and enquired about the policy of the government for clearing the debt incurred due to borrowing by the state. He emphasised the need for sincerity and honesty while implementing CSS. He urged the Works Minister to complete the work of Moirang- Kumbi Road. He further urged the government to negotiate with MEELAL to end the ongoing agitation.

           Shri B.D. Behring, MLA participating in the discussion drew the attention of the Works Minister regarding the drawal of money without doing any work in the PWD. He also stressed on the non implementation of schemes funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs. He also drew the attention of the concerned Minister to the plight of teachers in District Councils.

           Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA drew the attention of the Education Minister regarding favouritism by officials of the Education Department. He further drew the attention of the Chief Minister on the lack of sincerity by Police personnel. He urged the Works Minister to improve the condition of roads in his constituency and sought more fund for it. He expressed apprehension that funds from CADA might be misutilised.

           Shri P.S. Henry Paotei. MLA participating in the discussion expressed regret on the discrimination in awarding works, lack of qualified teachers in schools of hill areas, non construction of CJM office in Senapati District etc.

            Shri N. Sovakiran Singh, MLA participating in the discussion expressed that insurgency was correlated with unemployment and so drew the attention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister on the existing law and order situation. He also pointed out the need for proper planning before implementation of any work.

          Shri Th. Devendra Singh, Minister (Works) replying to the discussion informed that fund had already been sanctioned for maintenance of Maram-Purul road. Regarding the query of Shri M. Bhorot Singh, on the reported misappropriation of funds, he said that action would be taken up based on the Vigilance Report. He also assured that the Moirang-Kumbi Road would be maintained at the earliest in view of its importance. Further, he clarified that no influence was exerted while implementing works under the ACA Programme.

        Shri Phungzathang Tonsing, Minister (Hills & Tribal Development) replying to the discussion said that works approved by the Work Advisory Committee would be implemented under the supervision of the district level committee. Regarding the appointment of teachers in the District Council, he informed that the matter was under examination. He also said that the non-implementation of a number of schemes sanctioned by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was due to the fund being deposited to the state exchequer because of the financial constraints of the state.

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister replying to the discussion said that the government was making all possible efforts for releasing all backlog fund of various CSSs. He observed that the financial constraints of the state was due to the awarding of inadequate fund by the 11th Finance Commission and further said that the central government was pursued to improve the financial condition of the state by giving one time grant or a soft loan. Coming to the law and order situation of the state he said that the government was ready for talks with the various insurgent groups for bringing a peaceful solution, but was against the inclusion of a third party in the talk.

             All the 32 supplementary demands were passed by the House unanimously.

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister in charge of Finance made a statement.

(i) Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Appropriation (No.1) Bill, 2005.

The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced.

(ii) Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Appropriation (No.2) Bill, 2005.

The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced.

(iii) Md. Alauddin Khan, Minister of State (RD & PR) moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Panchayati Raj (Fourth Amendment) (No.3) Bill, 2005.

The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced.

          Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Official Language (Amendment) Bill, 2005.

            The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced.

(i) Shri B.D. Behring, MLA moved a Private Members’ Resolution to make necessary rule/ law to conduct ELISA test on both boys and girls before marriage. He expressed concern over the alarming increase of HIV/AIDS infected persons in the state and added that a law should be made to insure compulsory HIV testing before marriage. He wanted the government to provide such testing facilities to all health centres.

          Shri L. Nandakumar Singh, Minister (Health) replying to the discussion said that it would be difficult to legislate a law for the compulsory HIV test because of various ramifications which could be counterproductive. He assured the House that testing facilities besides J.N. Hospital and RIMS would be provided to the health centres of other districts.

        Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA and Dr. S. Budhichandra Singh, MLA endorsed the view of the Hon’ble Minister (Health).

           The Private Member’s Resolution was withdrawn.

(ii) Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA moved a Private Members’ Resolution to frame a new land policy for the purpose of agriculture in the valley area. He expressed apprehension over the diminishing of agricultural land due to its conversion to homestead land for construction of schools or government office buildings or houses thereby reducing the agricultural products. He wanted the government to frame a land policy to check such practices in future and added that wasteland should be developed and conserved for cultivation.

      Shri P. Parijat Singh, Minister (Agriculture), replying to the discussion said that the government had its own land policy to prevent the conversion of agricultural land to other non agricultural purposes and added that the preparation of a agriculture draft policy of the state to save the agricultural land was completed in the line of a Central law to be introduced soon. He further informed the House that the policy would also set a new target to increase agricultural activities of the farming communities .

       Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA sought further clarification.

      Hon’ble Chief Minister said that he would look into the matter whether there was any need for further amendment in the existing rules for the protection of agricultural land and appealed the mover to withdraw his resolution.

.       Hon’ble Speaker, Shri T.N. Haokip adjourned the House at 7.35 p.m till 11.00 a.m of Monday, the 21st March, 2005.