The House assembled at 11.00 am of Tuesday, the 12th July, 2005 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair. 

MEMBERS  PRESENT: 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, 9 Cabinet Ministers, Chairman (Hill Areas Committee), 1 Minister of State and 45 Elected Members. 

QUESTIONS:

(a)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) made a reply to Starred Question No.812, asked  by Shri Samuel Jendai, MLA regarding the improvement of Khongsang- Tamenglong road.           

(b)       Hon’ble  Minister (Revenue)  made a reply to Starred Question No. 813, asked  by Shri L. Radhakishore Singh, MLA regarding the boundary demarcation of  Kakyai Village and Langpok Village.           

(c)       Hon’ble Minister (Power) made a reply to Starred Question No. 814, asked by  Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the procurement and distribution  of transformers.           

(d)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 815 asked  by Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA regarding the construction of bridges near the Maharani bridge, Wahengbam Leikai.           

(e)       Hon’ble Minister (Horticulture) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 816, asked  by Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA regarding the revival of Magfruit factory.            

(f)        Hon’ble Minister of State (R.D.& PR) gave a reply to Starred Question No 817, asked by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the progress of works  taken under PMGSY Scheme at Moirang A/C. 

(g)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 818, asked  by Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA regarding the expansion of roads within  Greater Imphal area. 

(h)       Hon’ble Minister (Power) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 819, asked  by
   Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the construction of Imphal East,  Electricity
   office. 

ZERO HOUR: 

            During Zero Hour, Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA raised a matter regarding the decrease in the number of flight service and expressed the need for urging the Civil Aviation Ministry to increase the number of flight service. 

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        S/Shri M. Nilchandra Singh and S. Ibohal Singh, MLAs called the attention of the Chief Minister on the three days bandh called by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee.           

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA said the demand for the conversion of Sadar Hills into a full fledged revenue district was a long pending issue. He said that unless a positive response was given by the government, the agitation would intensify, thereby worsening the present situation. He made allegation against the government for not taking proper initiatives to solve the problem and fulfil the commitments made by the earlier governments. He also cited the intervention of United Naga Council against the creation of the new district and sought a detailed clarification from the Chief Minister. 

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA co-mover of the motion said that the demand for a full fledged revenue district of Sadar Hills had intensified and asked the government to take a specific decision. He expressed the extreme inconveniences faced by the people residing in the fringe areas of Senapati District and stressed the need to convert Sadar Hills into a full fledged revenue district. He raised queries regarding the progress of boundary demarcation. 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh replying to the motion asserted that the past governments should have taken a firm decision earlier instead of making commitments. He said that the issue was a delicate one and expressed the need to hold dialogues with the opposing party for sorting out the existing disputes to chalk out a solution. The government is considering for declaration of Sadar Hills as a full fledged revenue district in the near future, he said. 

            (ii)       S/Shri B.D. Behring and L. Ibomcha Singh, MLAs called the attention of the Chief Minister in the deteriorating law and order situation in the four Hill Districts following the assault by the I.R.B. personnel on civilians at Senapati.           

            Shri B.D. Behring, MLA condemned the action of the IRB Personnel on the civilians at Senapati District on July 8, 2005. He alleged the government for not holding talks with the agitators to bring about an amicable solution. He said that the government remained silent and failed to take up effective precautionary measures. Regarding the declaration of June 18 as a holiday, he said that the government didn’t consider its ramification. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA said that it was an unfortunate incident which could affect the integrity of the state. He stressed the need to take practical steps to bring about a peaceful solution and wanted the MLAs and the Ministers of the 4 hill districts to interact with the people for a negotiated settlement. Due to lack of alertness of district functionaries the situation worsened, he said and expressed apprehension of recurrence. 

            Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA raised questions regarding the motive of the IRB personnel for the assaults. He also commented on the negligence of Senapati district by the government and the hasty decision on the declaration of June 18 as a holiday. He wanted the government to spell out its clear stand on declaring it as a holiday. 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh replying to the motion expressed that it was an unfortunate incident and said that prompt action was taken by the government against the erring IRB personnel. Declaring the declaration of June 18 as a holiday, it was made in good faith as it had been done in the last three years, he added. He said that ANSAM had been invited for talks thrice and stated the inconveniences to hold talks at Senapati. He said that it was a state issue and sought suggestions to solve the impasse. 

(Hon’ble Chairman, Dr. M. Nara Singh adjourned the morning session at 1.25 p.m. till 2.25 p.m. of the day).

(The afternoon session resumed at 2.25 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair). 

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

            Shri Th. Debendra Singh, Minister (Works)  moved Demand No. 10 - Education, Demand No. 25 -  Youth Affairs and Sports Department, Demand No. 38 - Panchayat and Demand No. 47 - Welfare of Minorities and Other Backward Classes for discussion. 

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

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA moving a cut motion pointed out that the Education Department was full of irregularities and added that the department failed to detect fake appointment. The Department, he said, should be streamlined for more effective administration and transparency and wanted an effective training of teachers to improve Government schools. Pointing out the defects in the implementation of SSA, he charged the Minister for failing to maintain a rational view in the appointment of cooks of Mid-Day-Meal Programme. He said that the rationalisation policy of the Government lacked wisdom and practicability.   

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA raising a cut motion observed that the Government schools had been dominated by Private schools in the production of good students and pointed out that rationalisation policy of Education Department was a failure. He said that the department flouted transfer rules and added that deceased teachers were also included in the transfer of teachers. He charged the department for delaying the implementation of pension scheme of the aided approved teachers and wanted a clarification from the Minister. Regarding fake appointment issue, he wanted to constitute a House Committee for examining it. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA moving cut motions pointed out a case of downgrading of one Officer in the Youth Affairs & Sports Department and wanted the Minister to look into the matter for his reinstatement. He informed the House that the re-appointment of Secretary in the Board of Scondary Education, Manipur was in contravention to the RR of the Government and wanted the Minister to replace him. Highlighting the importance of vocationalisation of education he asserted that it would give more avenues of service and self-employment and also wanted a legislation to be made in this regard, if necessary. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA moving a cut motion observed that Education Department failed to detect fake appointment cases and wanted a House Committee to be constituted in this regard. He also expressed suspicion that there might be fake appointment cases in other departments, too. He informed the House that School Head Masters pilfered rice of Mid-Day-Meal programme and they did not even comply recommendations from the respective MLAs in the appointment of cooks under SSA scheme. He said that the extension of service of adhoc teachers was against the rules and asked whether there was any Cabinet decision so taken in this regard. He further said that the Government failed to review the rationalisation of teachers. He strongly maintained that  vocationalisation of education should be expanded to other schools also. Regarding MOBC, he suggested for making a separate department for minorities only. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA raising cut motions observed that the Education Department failed to maintain seniority list. He said that the department should maintain uniformity in the review of rationalisation of teachers. He mentioned, among other things, the non-opening of Microbiology Department in colleges and University, non-implementation of NCC programme, mis-management of CSS, failure to amend Manipur Official Languge Act, 1978, etc. He pointed out that the appointment of cooks for mid-day-meal flouted rules and added that the number of students in schools should also be verified to check pilferage of rice. Regarding the Youth Affairs& Sports Department, he said that the department should provide sufficient fund in the budget for participation of sports persons in national tournaments outside Manipur. He also pointed out the failure to protect the interest of MOBC and charged that the department took no initiative in job reservation of minorities. He expressed regret that the delegation of power to Panchayats was not made. 

            Shri M. Nabadwip Singh, MLA participating in the discussion observed that it was not just education that was collapsing and therefore teachers were not to be blamed alone. He reminded the House that today’s big officers were the products of government schools. Expressing unhappiness over the non compliance of government orders for appointment of cooks by Head Masters/ Head Pundits, he urged the Education Minister to look into the matter. 

            Shri Thangso Baite, MLA  participating in the discussion drew the attention of the Education Minister to the promotion of A.Is,D.Is and Z.E.Os flouting seniority rules. Commenting on fake appointments, he opined that a House Committee or a High Level Committee headed by a Commissioner should investigate the matter with a clear term of reference to find out the culprits and expressed unhappiness over the withholding of salaries of teachers due to such investigation. He further suggested that DDOs, Treasury Officers and employees of AG should also be investigated in connection with the fraudulent withdrawal of money by Head Masters/ Pundits. 

            Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA participating in the discussion observed that the present decay in Education Department and the social unrest were the result of commercialisation of education which deprived  good education of the poor. He requested the Minister to re-instate the retrenched Hindi teachers and also drew his attention to slow pace  in school infrastructure development taken up under ACA. He further pointed out some loopholes in the rationalisation process. Highlighting the achievements of Kakching in swimming and body building, he urged the Minister to take steps to improve these sports there.   

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA moving a cut motion pointed out that Panchayat was neglected in Manipur. Necessary assistances, he said, by various departments were denied and urged the Government to provide such assistance to Panchayat. DRDA, he said, would have problem while implementing all the CSS of panchayat as too many schemes were given to it and wanted the Government to bifurcate some of them. He observed that during the process of rationalisation of teachers, the availability of transport and quarter for teachers should be considered. He further drew the attention of the Minister to the retrenched Hindi teachers and the pathetic condition of Sanskrit College in DM college campus for taking necessary action. 

            Md. Allauddin Khan, Minister of State (Panchayat and  Welfare of Minorities & Other Backward Classes) replying to the demand discussion said that some departments were yet to issue order for devolution of power and earmark fund for the Panchayat and added that the department was at present implementing mostly CSS. He highlighted the works taken up by Panchayat like conducting elections of Zilla Parishads and Gram Sabhas. He further clarified that benefits like pre-matric scholarship, post-matric scholarship, etc. were distributed to all minorities living in the below poverty line under the Economic Development Programmes of MOBC Department. A  State Minority Commission, he informed, had been set up to look into the welfare of the minorities. He  further clarified that implementation of MOBC programmes were delayed due to lack of staff and late sanctioning of fund by the State Government.   

            Shri Francis Ngajokpa, Minister (Education), replying to the demand discussion clarified that FIRs were lodged and criminal proceedings undertaken against the fake appointees. He informed that some officials involved in the fraudulent withdrawal of money by Head Masters/Head Pundits had been suspended and added that Department of Law, Finance and DP were being consulted for further action. He further highlighted the importance and magnitude of Sarva Siksha Aviyan (SSA) and informed that a structural change was being contemplated for better implementation of SSA schemes. He further said that the implementation was delayed due to court cases. He further informed that SSA was being implemented through DRDA and added that MLAs would be allowed to involve for its proper implementation. The noncompliance of Government order for appointment of cooks by Head Masters and ZEOs, he said, was unfortunate and added that disciplinary action would be taken up against them. The term of the appointed cooks , he informed, had been extended for another 6 months. Highlighting the good performance of government schools in the hill districts, he said that privatisation of education was not possible as it would deprive the poor people the benefit of education. Opening of MEd course, he said, was approved by the Central Government. He admitted that the rationalisation of teachers had some human errors but added that justice had to be done under a specific parameter. The conversion of Manipur University, he further informed, into a Central University might be finalised in the next Parliament Session and Manipur Institute of Technology would be part of the conversion. He further said that establishing of a Vocational Institute would make vocational education more successful. The verification of fake appointed teachers, he clarified, was done by the DC and SDO concerned assisted by officers of the Education Department. He also informed that the proposal for opening of Microbiology Department in M.U., opening of DIET centres, the issue of closure of NCC, improvement of Sanskrit College, retrenched  Hindi Teachers, etc. would all be looked into in consultation with the Chief Minister. He finally appealed to all movers of cut motions to withdraw and allow the demand to pass. 

            Shri Govindas Konthoujam, Minister (Youth Affairs & Sports) replying to the discussion said that a case of down-gradation from the post of District Youth and Sports Officer in the Youth Affairs and Sports Department would be examined if any injustice had been made. He said that setting up of sports complex in every districts, water sports complex at Takmu, an acclimatisation sports complex at Jiri and a National Sports Academy would be taken up. He expressed that the Asian Football Confederation would take up a pilot project in Manipur out of only two schemes in India. A Committee for the maintenance of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex had been constituted, he said. He also said that he would look into the matter of accommodating meritorious sports persons in government jobs. The draft of the State Youth Policy had been completed, he informed. He further said that district level and state level Youth Festivals, Communal Harmony Week were organised for the youths and increase in the fund for the youth affairs would be made after discussing with the Planning Department.  

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA, seeking clarification, drew the attention of the concerned Ministers for privatisation of schools for Class VIII and above, proper rationalisation of teachers, proper implementation of mid-day-meal scheme, construction and maintenance of sports infrastructure, introduction of feasible youth policy, etc. 

             Clarification was sought by S/Shri O. Joy Singh, L. Ibomcha Singh, I. Hemochandra Singh and Dr Nimaichand Luwang, MLAs and the concerned Ministers clarified. 

            The Hon’ble Chief Minister supplemented to the clarification stating that the State Minority Commission had been constituted and that the feasibility of a separate department of minorities would be examined.  

All the cut motions were withdrawn and the four demands, Demand Nos.  10, 25, 38 & 47 were passed unanimously by the House.

            Hon’ble Chairman, Shri R.K. Thekho adjourned the House at 7.55 p.m till 11.00 a.m of  Wednesday, the 13th July, 2005.