The House assembled at 11.00 am of Monday, the 11th July, 2005 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker 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 (HPealth) made a reply to Starred Question No.800, asked by Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA regarding the Senapati District H/Q Hospital.           

(b)       Hon’ble  Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 801, asked by  Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA regarding the guideline for selection of works of  MAHUD.           

(c)       Hon’ble Minister (Health) made a reply to Starred Question No. 802, asked by  Shri D. Shaiza, MLA regarding the infrastructures of District Hospital, Ukhrul.           

(d)       Hon’ble Chief Minister gave a reply to Starred Question No. 803, asked by  Shri M. Nabadwip Singh, MLA regarding the nonpayment of bill for erecting  barricades and drop gates for the Prime Minister’s visit in November, 2004.           

(e)       Hon’ble Chief Minister gave a reply to Starred Question No. 804, asked by  Shri Vivek Raj Wangkhem, MLA regarding the funds for the development of  Imphal East district.           

(f)        Hon’ble Minister (Health) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 805, asked by  Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the construction of new hospital at Moreh.           

(g)       Hon’ble Minister (Health) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 806, asked  by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the construction of P.H.C in Manipur.  

            Answers to Starred Question Nos. 807, 808, 809, 810 & 811 were laid on the Table of the House. 

ZERO HOUR: 

            During Zero Hour, Shri E. Biramani Singh, MLA drew the attention of Agriculture Minister and IFCD Minister on the present drought situation effecting paddy fields in the areas of Thoubal District particularly in the Hiyanglam Constituency and wanted the concerned Ministers to make necessary arrangements in this regard.           

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA drew the attention of Hon’ble Chief Minister on the reported firing of bullets under the cover of darkness by some unidentified gunmen at the residence of Erabot Yumkham, MLA. 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF BUSINESS: 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister, announced the business for the week. 

PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEE REPORT: 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chairman of the Select Committee on the Manipur Municipality (Second Amendment) Bill, 2004 presented its report. 

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        Dr. Nimaichand Luwang and Shri O. Joy Singh, MLAs called the attention of the Health Minister on the shortage of medical facilities and staff of Community Health Centre in Sagolmang.  

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA quoting newspaper reports observed that the Community Health Centre in Sagolmang was not functioning properly. He mentioned, among other things, the lack of medical facilities, shortage of doctors, non-functioning of X-Ray machine, etc. He wanted the Minister to provide basic amenities to the patients and adequate furniture to the Centre. Expessing concern on the Yairipok CHC, he said that the centre had no specialist doctor. He asked the Minister when the construction of OT at Yairipok CHC would be completed. He expressed the desire to improve the functioning of all CHCs, PHCs and PHSCs to ease the rush in J.N. Hospital and RIMS Hospital and wanted a uniform distribution of staff to all the health centres of the State. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA co-mover of the motion observed that better health care facilities and doctor’s service should be provided to all the Health Centres of the State. He expressed the desire to make appointment of para-medic staff in view of the present shortage of staff in the Health Centres and appealed to the Minister to relax ban on appointment in this regard. He also wanted the hospitals in remote and interior areas to be improved with adequate equipment facilities. 

            Shri L. Nandakumar Singh, Minister (Health) replying o the Calling Attention Motion clarified that CHC in Sagolmang had 7 MOs and 1 Dental Surgeon but no specialist doctors. He further clarified that the X-Ray machine in the centre was functioning properly when checked. But the failure of equipment in all the Health centres was due to the shortage of power supply, he added. He informed the House that a new building of Sagolmang CHC would be constructed as its present condition was so bad. He said that required number of doctors would be provided to the Sagolmang and Yairipok CHCs as far as practicable. He further said that medicines, surgical kits would be procured for the health centres. He informed the House that fund would be released soon for the construction of OT at Yairipok CHC. With the recruitment of more doctors for which a Cabinet decision had been taken, the problem of doctor shortage could be solved to some extent, he informed. 

(Hon’ble Chairman, Shri R.K. Thekho adjourned the morning session at 12.55 p.m. till 2.00 p.m. of the day).

(The afternoon session resumed at 2.05 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair). 

            (ii)       Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA called the attention of the Chief Minister in charge of MAHUD on the nonpayment of salary for employee of Imphal Municipal Council. He observed that due to the appointment of 96 muster roll employees and non-realisation of octroi had precipitated the fund crunch in the IMC that led to the present crisis. He said that because of the indefinite strike called by the IMC employees there was an apprehension of health hazard due to the piling up of garbage. He termed the problem as chronic and a recurrent phenomenon. He highlighted the problems faced due to mismanagement of IMC management including the allotment of 405 plots to private individual. He said that the octroi management was a failure and pilferage should be checked. He expressed the need for streamlining the supervision of municipality council. He drew the attention of the MAHUD Minister to take corrective steps in the interest of the public. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister replying to the motion said that due to the frequent bandhs and blockades, octroi tax could not be successfully collected. He said that the income of the IMC was not in consonance to its expenditure and that the appointment of several employees compounded the matter. He added that the government was considering levying of tax on some items. He said that a concrete proposal was sought from the IMC for giving one  time grant. 

            Necessary clarifications sought by the mover were made by the Chief Minister. 

DISCUSSION AND VOTING ON DEMANDS FOR GRANTS, 2005-2006: 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved Demand No. 12 - Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development, Demand No. 21 -  Commerce & Industries and Weight & Measures Department, Demand No. 37 - Fisheries, and Demand No. 39 - Sericulture for discussion. 

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

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA moving cut motions sought a detailed report of the 11th Finance Commission Award for urban areas. He expressed the need to construct central bus terminus for better accommodation and the requirement of a complete planning for drainage system. He said that the Industry Department should hold vocational training programmes in collaboration with the Education Department. He also stressed on the need to promote handloom and handicraft sectors. He also pointed out mismanagement of funds by the Khadi Board and the need to streamline it. He said the local fish products failed to meet the demands and added that the government should take appropriate steps.           

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA raising cut motions, critically commented on the lack of improvement in handloom and handicraft and expressed the need to promote traditional industries like handloom and handicraft instead of establishing big industries in the State. He also pointed out that implementation of policies with thrust areas should be properly monitored. He suggested for developing a special economic zone to improve commerce and industries. Citing the importance of Yarn Bank in the State, he said that the Government failed to give importance to it. He further suggested for formation of a body comprising of eminent economist and experts to take advantage of the huge opportunities generated by the ‘Look East Policy’ of the Central Government. Giving comments on fishery, he said that it should be improved as it had huge potential for revenue generation. He further expressed the need to clean phumdis from Loktak lake to enhance fishing. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA moving cut motions, said that the Government was not following a Master Plan for urban development and stressed the need for proper zoning and planning for such development in the State. He further said that PDA should be entrusted to make proper planning for use of khas land and expressed regret over the handing over of Municipal assets to individuals. He urged the Chief Minister in-charge of MAHUD to streamline the IMC. He critically commented on the flouting of rules in the IMC and urged the Chief Minister to look into the issue of garbage disposal. Town Planning, he said, should be activated and added that urban by-pass should be made. He pointed out the need to develop other Municipal areas like Kakching, Jiri, etc. He also drew the attention of the Commerce and Industries Minister to the hardships faced by the employees of MANITRON due to non-receipt of salaries for many months and also to the non-payment of dues by the Election Department to MANITRON. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA raising cut motions critically commented on the failure of various industries in the State due to lack of sincerity and commitment by the Government and officers of the Industry Department. He suggested that indigenous industries of the State should be encouraged and added that the Government should identify the genuine artisans and craftsman and give assistance. He opined that mining industries too would not succeed in the State. He wanted the Government to constitute a House Committee to examine how and why all the industries had failed. He also pointed out the non-payment of salaries and pensions to the employees of IMC and added that octroi collection should be allowed from bitumen, cement etc. procured by the Government to enhance revenue collection of IMC. Expressing concern over the giving away of municipal land to individuals, he urged the Government to examine the matter. He pointed out the need to have a Master Plan for Imphal and Greater Imphal to construct approach roads, implement drainage schemes to prevent water logging and to provide raw and drinking water. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA moving a cut motion, suggested enactment of an anti-defection law in Municipal Councils in the context of frequent defections of Councilors. He said that the sanitation schemes were not properly implemented in Imphal Municipal areas and the fund for solid waste management was not properly utilised. There were some irregularities in the allotment of plots to women vendors in the temporary market sheds, he observed. Regarding Industry Department, he observed that all the industry in Manipur should either be streamlined or be privatised. Loans should be given to the genuine persons after strict verifications and that local handloom and handicraft industry should be encouraged, he observed. He suggested for implementing the Sericulture Project properly. Regarding the Fishery Department, he said that the expenditure was greater than the income of the department.

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA moving a cut motion suggested that those shops under Imphal Municipal Council which earlier been allotted to private individuals should be recovered by the IMC for its income generation. He proposed that downsizing should be done in the staff of IMC and that an MoU between the State Government and IMC must be signed for more Government supervision. There were some irregularities in the allotment of stalls in the temporary market sheds in Khwairamband Bazar, he said and observed that some problems might arise because of congestion in the new market sheds. He suggested for providing compensation first before eviction in the context of the ongoing widening process of national highways and other roads. There was no quality control in construction of drains, he asserted and proposed to frame a drainage project for Imphal city.  

            Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA moving a cut motion, highlighted the importance of the Imphal Municipal Council and asserted that it was suffering due to the lack of income sources. He suggested that the IMC might levy taxes on petroleum products for its income generation and octroi collection should be streamlined. He expressed concern over the non-repairing of many drains in Imphal and emphasised the development of drainage system. He drew the attention of the government to complete the Waishel maril project. He strongly urged the Government to take necessary step for solving the problem of the strike being launched by the staff of IMC. 

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA moving a cut motion said that there was vast area suitable for fish rearing but a small area was covered in fishery at present. He drew the attention of the Fisheries Minister to take up measure for enhancing the fish production of the State for meeting the demand of the public. He drew the attention of the minister concerned to take up specific measures for saving the indigenous fishes, which were becoming extinct. Regarding the Industry Department, he alleged that the failure of the Khadi and Village Industries Schemes was due to some irregularities and sought clarifications regarding it. 

            Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA supporting the demands observed that the Municipal towns in Manipur lacked modern amenities and drew the attention of the MAHUD Minister for the streamlining of the drainage system in Kakching area. He sought clarification from the Industries Minister regarding the proposed Export Promotion Industrial Park at Kakching being planned by the Central Government. 

            Shri N. Mangi Singh, Minister (Commerce & Industries and Weight & Measures, Fisheries and Sericulture) said that the failure of many industries in Manipur was due to lack of viability and excessive number of employees. He also informed the House that the Waithou Fishery Farm would be developed for providing fishery facility to the adjoining villages. He also said that the thrust area of industries would be agro based industries, horticulture, tourism, handloom and handicraft etc. Loan recovery drives had been launched by entrusting to a private agency, he said. A Food Park for food processing would be set up at Nilakuthi and food processing training had been conducted at Porompat, he said. Site selection for an Industrial Growth Centre at Lamlai Napet Palli had been made, he informed the House and added that indigenous item would be tapped scientifically for inclusion in the Indo-Myanmar border trade. Regarding the MANITRON, he said that steps for clearing its outstanding dues from the Election Department would be taken for payment of staff salaries. Regarding Fisheries Department, he said that providing fibre glass boats to fisherman at subsidised rates was underway. The proposed Export Promotion Industrial Park was not implemented as yet because of a problem in site selection, he said. To a query raised by Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA, regarding funding of handloom and handicraft industry, he said that it would be funded by the Centre.   

            Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh, in-charge of MAHUD replying to the discussion said that various schemes for development in Imphal area were taken up as per the Manipur Town and Country Planning Act. Under the Integrated Development of Medium and Small Towns of the Central Government, municipal and town areas in other districts were also developed, he informed. He said that preparation of a project was underway for a 25 sq.km. Town of international standard at Moreh. The old district hospital complex presently used as temporary market shed had been earmarked for accommodating the roadside stalls of B.T Road as a decongestion measure of Khwairamband Bazar, he informed. He clarified that the MAHUD or the PDA had no role in the allotment of stalls of the bazar area and added that they were only the work implementing agency. The Manipur Municipality (Third Amendment) Bill, he said, would be introduced to check the frequent defection by Councillors of IMC and other Municipal Councils. He said that projects for improving the drainage system in the state would be taken up with assistance either from the DONER or NEC. He informed that he would looked into any irregularities regarding the construction of two seater ‘pay and use’ toilets. Regarding suggestions for shifting the Capital Project to some other sites, he said that getting the Environmental Clearance and developing the site would take a long time and this would delayed the project. He further informed that the flyover bridge would be completed by 31 October, 2005. 

            All the cut motions were withdrawn and the four demands, Demand Nos.  12, 21, 37 & 39 were passed unanimously by the House.

            Hon’ble Chairman, Md. Abdul Salam  adjourned the House at 8.25 p.m till 11.00 a.m of  Tuesday, the 12th July, 2005.