The House assembled at 11.00 am of Thursday, the 14th 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  Chief Minister gave a reply to Starred Question No. 828, asked by Shri L. Radhakishore Singh, MLA regarding the progress of Keinou-Kangamong road taken up under PMGSY Scheme. And further supplementary replies were made by the Minister (RD & PR). 

(b)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 829, asked by  Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA regarding the issue of identity card to contractors.           

(c)       Hon’ble Minister (PHED) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 830, asked by  Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA regarding the implementation of Water Supply  Scheme for Senapati District HQ. 

(d)       Hon’ble Minister (YAS) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 831 asked by  Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA regarding the sport coaching at the Khuman  Lampak Sports Complex.           

(e)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 832, asked by  Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the amount earmarked for the         construction of roads and bridges of Imphal West and Imphal East District.

(f)        Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 833, asked by  Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the non refund of  Earnest Money Deposit  for deceased contractors. 

(g)       Hon’ble Minister (YAS) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 834, asked by  Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the number of national and international  sportpersons of Manipur.           

(h)       Hon’ble Minister (Power) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 835, asked by  Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA regarding the steps taken up for the improvement of  power supply in Kakching area. 

(i)        Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 836, asked by  Shri S. Gopal  Singh, MLA regarding the compensation of area affected by the Loktak  Hydro Project.           

(j)        Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 837, asked by  Shri L. Radhakishore Singh, MLA regarding the progress of Bishnupur to  Mayang Imphal Road taken up under A.C.A. programme. 

ZERO HOUR: 

            During Zero Hour, Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA drew the attention of the FCS Minister regarding the sale of LPG, kerosene and petrol by blackmarketeers at a high rate. 

PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEE REPORT: 

            Shri L. Tomba Singh, member of the Rules Committee presented the 11th Report.

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        Shri O. Joy Singh and Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLAs called the attention of the Chief Minister on the ceasing of the activities of N.C.C. in Manipur. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA expressed unhappiness on the imposition of ban on the activities of NCC by some organisations. He said that it was a symbol of national integrity and a great institution of discipline and character building. He highlighted the importance of NCC training in employment opportunities. He said that the closure of the NCC office was a great loss to the state and its youth. He asked the government not to remain a spectator and take up prompt steps to open the NCC office. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA emphasising the important role of NCC said that the ban on it would be a great loss for the future generation. He also commented on the Central Government’s instruction to make it compulsory in school and college education in earlier years. He stressed the need to take NCC programmes to impart emotional integrity in the state. 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh replying to the motion expressed that the ban on such a prestigious institution was unfortunate. He said that the government was keen to make it functional. He condemned the act of the Apunba Lup and other organisations for imposing ban on it and said that steps would be taken by the government to open the NCC office. 

(Hon’ble Chairman, Md. Abdul Salam adjourned the morning session at 12.55 p.m. till 2.00 p.m. of the day).

(The afternoon session resumed at 2.10 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair). 

(ii)       S/Shri Z. Mangaibou and M. Nilchandra Singh, MLAs called the attention of the Forests & Environment Minister on the reported timber smuggling out of the state. 

            Shri Z. Mangaibou, MLA raising the motion, quoted local dailies, Sangai Express and Imphal Free Press of 13-7-2005 regarding the smuggling of wood from Manipur by a contractor from Nagaland and pointed out the huge amount of trees being felled and smuggled out of the state under the very nose of a Forest Range Office. He lamented that such mass deforestation in the State took place at a time when the whole world was focusing to preserve natural resources and plant more trees to prevent the increasing global warming and ecological imbalance. The wood smugglers, he said, gave salt, food items, tin sheets and provide transportation to the villagers for felling trees worth crores of rupees and smuggle them out to various metropolitan cities. The Government or the Forest Department was doing nothing to stop this smuggling and also to the mass deforestation in the whole State. He suggested that a House Committee be constituted to survey the forest areas of the State and find out means to prevent such mass deforestation. 

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA, co-mover of the Calling Attention motion expressed concern over the large scale smuggling of wood from Manipur by a contractor from Nagaland without the knowledge of the Government and also in violation of the Supreme Court’s order banning the cutting down of trees. He criticised the failure of the Forest Department and the state intelligence in remote villages to control deforestation. Pointing out the hazards of deforestation, he critically commented on the failure of the Forest Department in taking up afforestation work in the State and asked the Government regarding the steps for checking deforestation. He also endorsed the proposal to constitute a House Committee to investigate the whole issue. 

            Shri Ngamthang Haokip, Minister (Forests & Environment) replying to the calling attention motion informed that the department was aware of the smuggling of wood from the forest of Manipur by a contractor from Nagaland but was unable to do much due to shortage of armed forest guards. The department, he said, was trying its best to check deforestation and was also taking up serious afforestation works in the state. The smuggling of wood, he said, could be prevented to a large extent by opening an army post there. He further requested all the MLAs to pay more attention to save the forests of Manipur. 

            Further clarifications were sought by Shri Z. Mangaibou and Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLAs and Hon’ble Minister clarified. 

            Shri T.N. Haokip directed the government to consult the government of Nagaland and arrest the smuggler. 

GENERAL DISCUSSION & DISCUSSION AND VOTING ON DEMANDS FOR EXCESS GRANTS, 1999-2000, 2000-2001 &  2001-2002: 

            Shri N. Mangi Singh, Minister (Commerce & Industries) moved the demands for excess grants for the years 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 for a joint discussion. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA initiating the discussion said that it was the responsibility of the legislature to check whether the fund sanctioned for various works were properly utilised or not. He expressed regret over the failure of the government to implement the recommendations of the PAC to check excess expenditure by any department. He further commented on the lack of awareness of parliamentary functioning by the IAS officers and suggested for improvement of their role and responsibilities in order to strengthen democracy. He further said that the frequent occurrence of fraudulent withdrawal of government money was due to violation of general finance rules and absence of proper budgeting by various departments. He also suggested that the recommendation of committees should be properly implemented. 

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA participating in the discussion pointed out that the occurrence of excess expenditure by departments were due to financial mismanagement. He commented on the huge amount spent by the government on interest payment due to borrowing from various financial institutions. He was very critical of fraudulent withdrawal of money from government exchequer and added that it was due to non compliance of proper financial rules by the departments. Regarding the excess grant for Power Department, he put the blame on incomplete and unproductive schemes. He further pointed out that inspite of signing the MOU with the government of India, to improve the financial position of the state, it failed to reduce the problem of deficit. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA participating in the discussion pointed out the non-implementation of the recommendation of PAC and critically commented that the departments did not make proper accounting resulting to various unwanted expenditures. The huge amount being spent by the government in paying interest was a matter of concern, he said. He also pointed out the inability of some departments to utilise all the funds reflected in the budget while department like Commerce and Industries had too much excess. All these financial irregularities, he said were due to improper preparation of budget by the departments. 

            Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh replying to the discussion said that the excess grants for the 1999-2000, 2000-2001 & 2001-2002, had been verified and approved by the Public Accounts Committee. He added that the excess expenditure was incurred in the repayment of ways & means advance, public debts, etc. and in meeting the non-plan revenue expenditures. He further said that the Finance Department was trying its best to maintain the financial discipline in the State and added that constructive suggestions of Hon’ble Members had been noted down for curbing recurrence of excess expenditure. 

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA, pointed out that most of the departments in the State wasted money by procuring materials in excess without making a proper enquiry of the requirements and stressed the need for strict control by Finance Department.  

            The House unanimously passed the demands for excess grants for the years 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. 

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS: 

            (i)        Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Appropriation (No. 7) Bill, 2005.

            The House granted leave. 

            And the Bill was introduced. 

            (ii)       Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Appropriation (No. 8) Bill, 2005.

            The House granted leave. 

            And the Bill was introduced.

(iii)     Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Appropriation (No. 9) Bill, 2005.

            The House granted leave. 

            And the Bill was introduced.

(iv)      Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Bill, 2005.

            The House granted leave. 

            And the Bill was introduced.

(v)       Shri L. Nandakumar Singh, Minister (Health) moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Nursing Council Bill, 2005.

            The House granted leave. 

            And the Bill was introduced.

(vi)      Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Municipalities (Third Amendment) Bill, 2005.

            The House granted leave. 

            And the Bill was introduced.

            Hon’ble Chairman, Dr. M. Nara Singh adjourned the House at 4.30 p.m till 11.00 a.m of  Friday, the 15th July, 2005.