The House assembled at 11.00 am of Friday, the 1st 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 (Agriculture) made a reply to Starred Question No. 759, asked  by Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the steps taken up by the  Government to face drought.           

(b)       Hon’ble  Minister (FCS)  made a reply to Starred Question No. 760, asked  by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the issue of ration cards.           

(c)       Hon’ble Minister (Health) made a reply to Starred Question No. 761, asked  by Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the precautionary measures taken  up to face cholera. 

(d)       Hon’ble Chief Minister in the absence of the Minister (Education)  gave a reply  to Starred Question No. 762, asked by Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding  the progress of SSA  Schemes in Imphal East District. 

            Answer to Starred Question No. 758 was laid on the Table of the House.

ZERO_HOUR: 

            Shri B.D. Behring, MLA  drew the attention of the House on the reported missing of a woman from Chakpikarong and wanted information about her whereabouts. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA  also drew the attention of the concerned Minister on receipt of a transfer order from the Education Department for a person who died some time back. 

PRESENTATION OF DEMANDS FOR EXCESS GRANTS: 

            Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh, presented the Demands for Excess Grants, 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. He made a brief statement. 

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA called the attention of the Science & Technology Minister on the non-functioning of Remote Sensing Application Centre. Quoting a newspaper report on the closure of the Centre and stressing on the importance of the Centre, he questioned the reason why the Remote Sensing Application Centre had been closed despite tight security. He said that the Director in-charge was working alone in the Centre. He said that salaries of the staff had not been paid for three months and the Director in-charge had deducted huge amounts of money from the salaries of the staff on the pretext of income tax deduction. He further said that the  Director in-charge was not qualified for the post and added that two persons had been appointed in the Centre despite the ban on appointment.           

            Shri Ngamthang Haokip, Minister (Science & Technology) replying to the Calling Attention Motion replied that Remote Sensing Application Centre had been closed under the supervision of the Addl. SP, Imphal West on reports of possible infiltration by militant groups. He said that necessary action would be taken up on this matter in consultation with the Chief Minister. The Centre would be reopened very soon and  the alleged irregularities would also be examined, he informed the House. 

            (ii)       Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA called the attention of Social Welfare Minister on the non-release of financial assistance to the Children Homes of Manipur. He said that the financial assistance extended to the destitute children was very meagre that it couldn’t meet even their basic needs and wanted the Minister to enhance the amount. He also drew the attention of the Minister to release the pending dues of the financial assistance from the department. 

            Smt. W. Leima Devi, Minister (Social Welfare), replying to the Calling Attention Motion clarified that the destitute children homes were run by NGOs and the financial assistance given to them was only grant-in-aid from the government. He informed the house that the non-payment of financial assistance was due to the non-release of LOC from the Finance Department and assured that fund would be released very soon. 

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

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved Demand No. 6 - Transport, Demand No. 14 - Development of Tribal & Scheduled Castes,  and  Demand No. 40 - Irrigation & Flood Control Department for discussion. 

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

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA raising a cut motion said that the Transport Department violated the Motor Vehicles  Act by issuing driving licences to underaged  persons. He expressed concern on the hike of fares of the inter state buses and wanted the fares to be increased to a reasonable rate. He said that the Transport authority failed to check registration of stolen vehicles from outside Manipur and expressed doubt that the officers of the department might be involved in the matter. Regarding Tribal Welfare Department, he drew the attention of the Minister to provide more financial assistance to the tribes inhabiting in the Thangmeiband Constituency. 

            (Hon’ble Chairman, Dr. M. Nara Singh adjourned the morning session at 1.00 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). 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA  moving cut motions expressed concern on the use of gas horns, the non-implementation of pollution testing of vehicles and use of vehicles without number plate by security forces and suggested for setting up of a driving school of the government. He stressed the need on the construction of an MSRTC Complex at Mao to facilitate stranded passengers during blockade on NH-39. Regarding solatium fund, he observed that it was not reflected in the budget and also pointed out the failure to pay compensation from the said fund to the claimants. He drew the concerned Minister’s attention regarding the water logging in Imphal area even at the slightest rainfall. The completion of Khuga Project was delayed due to the non-availibility of construction material. He suggested, among other things, the need for constructing Guest Houses at Imphal in view of the inconveniences faced by the people of the hill areas during their visit to Imphal for medical treatment. 

            Shri B.D. Behring, MLA pointed out the non-implementation of various schemes for the development in  the hill areas and enquired where the funds had been diverted. Expressing unhappiness over the holding of the post of the CEO in the District Council by a person for the last 15 years, the nonpayment of scholarship to S.T. students and the nonpayment of pension to employees of the District Council, he drew the Minister’s attention. He also wanted transferring of more power to the District Council. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA  moving cut motions observed the need for giving pensions and retirement benefits to the employees of the District Council. He stressed on the need for transfering  more power to the District Council and also for holding early election. He expressed regret over the non-sanctioning of funds for the last two years for the development of one S.C. village in his constituency and also urged the government to give the pending scholarship to the S.C. students. The Government, he said, was not taking up any long term measures to combat flood in the state. Non-realisation of penal fees and permit fees from goods vehicles resulted in loss of Government’s income, he said and urged for taking up necessary measures at the earliest. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA moving cut motions pointed out the issue of the non-holding of election of the District Councils for the last many years and emphasised the need for a democratic system in the hills. Manipur economy which depends on agriculture and agro-based industry was at the mercy of monsoon due to the lack of a scientific and advanced approach by the IFC Department, he said. He sought that details of flood fighting preparation be tabled in the House as monsoon had set in. Regarding the various pending projects, he urged the government to complete it at the earliest and also demanded to know the steps taken up by the Government to complete these projects. 

            Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA participating in the discussion urged the government to take up steps for improving the agricultural areas in his constituency. Quoting the Presidential Order recommending all Lois to be treated as SC, he said that if the criteria for Lois were fulfilled then SC certificates could be issued. He further observed that the scholarship of the SC students should be given at the earliest. 

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA observed that due to the failure of the irrigation system taken up by the Government, farmers were using traditional method of irrigation. He pointed out the need for taking up long term measure for controlling flood. Attention was also drawn for completing the construction work of culverts near Hodam Leirak and Takhellambam Leikai, Imphal at the earliest. He also urged that election of the District Council be held at the earliest. Regarding the scholarship of SC/ST students, he sought a detail information from the Minister concerned. 

            Shri Phungzathang, Minister (Transport, Hills & Tribal Development and Irrigation &  Flood Control) replying to the demand discussion said that timely utilisation of TD funds was not possible due to non-release of fund by both the Central and the State Government. Regarding the non-distribution of pre-matric scholarship for the tribal students, he clarified that it was due to non-release of half of the fund by the Central Government but added that the said fund was released recently. The reason for the non-implementation of pension schemes to employees of District Councils, he said, was due to lack of information on the exact number of employees, their respective grades, pay scales, appointment orders, etc. and added that it would be implemented after receiving all these  details. The Government, he said, was concerned about the non-completion of ongoing projects of IFCD but added that some projects like Khuga Projects would be completed by the next year and that Thoubal Project by 2007-2008. He further clarified that apart from the ongoing projects, several new projects were being  submitted to NEC for approval while survey was being conducted for some others. Appreciating Transport Department, he said that the Department though small, with few staff, could collect a substantial revenue. The Government, he informed, was examining all aspects to conduct District Council election. He further said that he would try to make Solatium fund available to the hit-and-run cases. He finally appealed to all the movers of Cut Motions to withdraw and allow the Demands to pass. 

            S/Shri B.D. Behring, M. Bhorot Singh, L. Ibomcha Singh, MLAs sought further clarifications and the Minister clarified. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister, supplementing to the clarification said that the Government was unable to implement pension schemes to District Council employees due to non- receipt of information regarding the number of employees, their respective grades, pay scales, date of appointment, etc. from the CEOs and further added that it could be implemented as soon as all these details were available. He further clarified that the Government considered all factors in the hiking of bus fare. 

            All the cut motions were withdrawn and the three demands, Demand Nos. 6, 14 & 40 were passed by the House. 

PRIVATE MEMBER’S RESOLUTION:           

            Shri O. Joy Singh and Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLAs moved a Private Member’s Resolution to reserve (22) points of the vacancies in the posts and services of the State of Manipur for the OBC and provide necessary enactment accordingly with immediate effect. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA  moving the Private Member’s Resolution said that the Constitution of India provided protection to SC, ST and OBC in the field of education and employment. Though protection was given to SC&ST in Manipur OBC was not given any protection, he said and added that such a protection was given in other states. Reminding of an instruction from the Central Government to the State Government to provide reservation for OBC, he said that the State Government did not comply with that instruction. He further said that denial of such a protection to OBCs was a violation of the spirit of the Indian Constitution and added that such a protection was needed in Manipur to uplift the OBCs. He strongly urged the Government to provide 22 points reservation for OBCs in the matter of education and employment. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA co-mover of the Resolution observed that OBC covered all backward sections of the state including the Muslims and Nepalese. He referred to a similar resolution moved by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh on 31-07-2002 which was withdrawn on the assurances made by the present Government. He strongly urged the Government for reservation of OBCs in matters of admission to technical courses and employment in Government jobs. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA participating in the discussion of the Resolution said that the Reservation Act was not implemented as yet in the State and that 17% reservation of OBCs was acceptable.  

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh replied that the State Government was committed to extending the reservation to OBCs of the State. Data had been collected from other States and that identification of criteria and categories of OBC under Central guidelines was being examined, he informed the House. An OBC Commission would be constituted for examination and report on this issue and that the whole exercise might take about six months, he said. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA suggested constitution of the House Committee for early disposal of the reservation issue.  

            The Hon’ble Chief Minister assured that the matter would be expedited as early as possible in the interest of the OBCs. 

            The Private Member’s Resolution was withdrawn. 

            Hon’ble Chairman, Shri R.K Thekho adjourned the House at 5.55 p.m till 11.00a.m of  Monday, the 4th July, 2005.