The House assembled at 11.00 am of Thursday, the 23rd June, 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 (Works) made a reply to Starred Question No. 717, jointly  asked by S/Shri L. Tomba Singh and  M. Nilchandra Singh, MLAs regarding  the non completion of Thoubal - Mayang Imphal and Thoubal - Yairipok road.           

(b)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) made a reply to Starred Question No. 718, asked by  Shri Thangminlien Kipgen, MLA regarding the status of E.E. Office (Sadar Div.).           

(c)       Hon’ble  Minister (PHED)  made a reply to Starred Question No. 719, asked by  Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the target for completion of Kangla  Sangomshang Water Supply Scheme.           

(d)       Hon’ble Minister (Power) made a reply to Starred Question No. 721, asked by  Shri N. Sovakiran  Singh, MLA regarding the power unit produced by the  Leimakhong Heavy Fuel Power Project.           

(e)       Hon’ble Minister (Works)  gave a reply to Starred Question No. 722, asked by  Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the construction of Lamlong and  Salanthong Bridge. 

(f)        Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 723, asked by  Shri Thangminlien Kipgen, MLA regarding the shifting of Sadar Hills Sub-Division Headquarter.           

(g)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 724, asked by Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA regarding the steps for completion of incomplete bridges. 

            Answer to Starred Question No. 720 was laid on the Table of the House. 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE SPEAKER: 

            The Hon’ble Speaker announced that he received a notice of a matter of general public interest under Rule 128 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Manipur Legislative Assembly from Dr.Nimaichand Luwang, Shri O. Joy Singh, Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, Shri Ningthoujam Biren, Shri K. Ranjit Singh, Shri Nongthombam Biren and Shri Thangso Baite, MLAs. The House decided to take up the matter after the end of the Agenda No. 4 of the day’s business. 

OBITUARY REFERENCE:  

            The Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly, moved a resolution on obituary reference on the demise of Shri Kh. Chandra, former member of the Seventh Manipur Legislative Assembly.  

            S/Shri R.K. Thekho, Ningthoujam Biren, K. Ranjit Singh, S. Chandra Singh, R.K. Dorendra Singh and Shri O. Joy Singh, MLAs and Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri O. Ibobi Singh participated in the obituary reference. 

            The following resolution was adopted by the House:-           

                        “That, this House expresses its deep and profound sorrow at the sad demise of Shri Kh. Chandra, former Member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

And, that the Members of the House observe two minutes silence by standing to pray to the Almighty God for the eternal peace of the departed soul.”

            The House observed two minutes silence in respect of the departed soul. 

INTIMATION OF GOVERNOR’S ASSENT TO BILL: 

            The Secretary Manipur Legislative Assembly intimated the House the Governor’s Assent to the following Bill: 

            (i)        The Manipur Appropriation (No.1) Bill, 2005: and

            (ii)       The Manipur Appropriation (No.2) Bill, 2005.  

PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEE REPORT: 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister presented the Thirteenth Report of the Business Advisory Committee, 2005 and also moved:           

            “that this House agrees with the allocation of time proposed by the Committee”. 

The House adopted the Report of the Committee. 

DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY: 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA one of the movers of the motion on a matter of general public importance asserted the need of safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur and reaffirming the earlier six resolutions adopted in the Manipur Assembly. Initiating the discussion he said that the purpose of the motion was to express solidarity  cutting across party lines in the issue of the territorial integrity of the state and convey the message to the centre. Again, in the backdrop of newspaper reports that the demand of a Greater Nagaland had intensified and that in a Memorandum submitted to the centre for a Greater Nagaland, two M.P.s and eleven MLAs were signatories, the issue of safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur had to be stressed and strengthened all the more. 

(Hon’ble Speaker, Shri T.N. Haokip  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 R.K. Dorendra Singh, MLA supporting the motion said that such an unanimous decision was required to remove the apprehension from the minds of the people. Appreciating the peace talk between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM, he said that it should continue to bring about lasting peace in the North East. He also urged the NGOs of both the Hill and the Valley to stop criticising each other and further added that only love and mutual understanding would bind us together. Lamenting the hardships faced by the people, who were sandwiched between the underground outfits and the Indian Army, he called upon the valley based insurgents to come forward for a peaceful dialogue with the Government. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA welcomed the motion and further added that the concept of boundary or territory was slowly disappearing in developed countries. He expressed regret over the conflict of opinions between the NGOs of the hills  and the valley and requested them to come out of such frame of mind. He further suggested that the opinion of all the elected MLAs should be sought cutting across party lines while dealing with sensitive issues.  

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh while appreciating the Motion said that mutual love and understanding had grown between the hills and the valley people through ages but some vested interest were trying to destroy it. He further said that we should  go not by sentiments but by reason and appealed to them to leave the concept of division since the whole world is going for globalisation. He urged the elected leaders to spread the message of peace and love to their respective constituencies. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA supporting the motion, maintained that the issue was a sensitive one and critically commented at the way the present government was handling the issue. He asked the government whether the allegation on some Naga Ministers, MLAs and MPs of Manipur having been signatories in a memorandum had been authenticated or not and also inquired about the proposed formation of a Boundary Commission and the news report that NSCN- IM had opened base camps inside Manipur. Reminding of the oath taken by all the elected MLAs and Ministers, he said that it would be a criminal offence if they go against the oath. He finally urged the government to pay attention to the development activities in the hill areas in order to erase the feeling of neglect from their mind.  

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA welcomed the Motion and said that the present crisis was due to some vested interest groups. He expressed his belief in “without political consensus, greater Nagaland is not possible” which Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee   had said. He also said that in such a present situation where all of us were under threat, it was not a surprise that the Naga MLAs, Ministers and MPs had given their signature under threat. In order to avoid hurting a section of the society, he suggested that the sentiments of both the hills and the valley should be treated separately. He further requested the Press to avoid publishing provocative words and urged everyone to live lovingly and with trust. 

            Shri Salam Ibohal Singh, MLA, while supporting the Motion said that saving the integrity of the state was also the responsibility of the 60 MLAs. He urged the MLAs to go to their people and console them with honesty and sincerity to solve the present problem of disintegration. Endorsing the view that imbalance in development affects unity, he suggested to the government to take development work in every parts of the state. 

            Shri K. Ranjit Singh, MLA stressed the need to reaffirm the stand of safeguarding the territorial integrity of the state. He also emphasised the need for unity among the different communities by remembering the peaceful coexistence of the past. 

            Shri Thangso Baite, MLA, said that as the issue was a very sensitive one, the root cause need to be found out. He suggested the need for strengthening the social fabric binding the different communities. He further stressed the need to take necessary steps for a balanced society in the state. 

            Shri Nongthombam Biren, MLA, participating in the discussion emphasised the need to reaffirm the earlier resolutions to safeguard the integrity of the state. He said it was unfortunate that various NGOs and other organisations were trying to gain political mileage by fuelling the different communities inspite of the Centre’s stand of not disturbing the boundary of the state. He suggested that rectifying the mistakes committed in the past would bring about unity among the different communities. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA, expressed the need to reaffirm the resolutions taken to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state. He was of the opinion that the territorial integrity of the state would not be disturbed. He expressed regret over the  attempts of individuals or organisations trying to drive a wedge between communities. He further expressed that it was the duty of every community to safeguard the integrity of the state. 

            Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA participating in the discussion stressed the need to reaffirm the earlier stands to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state. He pointed out that the present problems in the state were due to the absence of mixed communities. He further opined that non censoring of news items in the different newspapers were also responsible for creating disharmony among the different communities of the state. He therefore suggested that the DIPR need to look into the matter. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister replying to the discussion said that protecting the integrity of the state was the duty of everyone in the state and assured that the territorial integrity of the state would not be compromised. He said that unnecessary provocation by various NGOs led to unrest and enmity among the different communities in the state and added that it was unfortunate that these various NGOs were trying to take credit out of the issue. He appealed to all to work towards building a peaceful society. He also felt that the Motion would be passed unanimously  by the House. 

            After the end of the discussion, the House unanimously adopted the following resolution:- 

             “This august House in its sitting held on 23rd day of June 2005 while reaffirming its earlier resolutions adopted on 24-3-95, 14-3-97, 17-7-98, 17-12-98, 22-3-01 and 12-6-02 respectively relating to the  protection and maintenance of the Territorial Integrity of Manipur further unanimously resolves to urge upon the Government of India to make   suitable amendments of Article 3 of the Constitution of India or to insert   appropriate  provisions in the Constitution of India for protecting  Territorial Integrity of the State of Manipur”. 

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA, called the attention of Education Minister on the issue of fake appointment in the department. He said that it was shameful on the part of the government that the fake appointment issue was first disclosed by an underground organisation and wanted the Minister to clarify how far the verification for genuineness of the appointment of teachers could detect fake appointment of teachers and when it would be completed. He expressed unhappiness over the withholding of salaries of teachers during the verification process. He further said that irregularities in appointment of teachers under die-in-harness should be checked. He further expressed suspicion that there might be fake appointment cases in other departments like Power, PWD, Minor Irrigation Department and others.  

            Shri Francis Ngajokpa, Minister in charge of Education (S) replying to the Calling Attention Motion said that still there was no question of termination of service of teachers involved in the fake appointment issue  as their appointment were not made officially. However, criminal cases were being taken up against them, he added. He further said that 119 teachers had been detected under fake appointment issue and 7 officials had been suspended so far. He also said that one teacher serving in 3 schools had been sent to jail. The verification on fake appointment issue was underway in all districts headed by their respective DCs, he said and added that a Cabinet decision was taken to hand over the fake appointment issue to the CBI for which a reply was being awaited. He assured the House that the verification process would be completed within the current month. 

            (ii)       Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA called the attention of MAHUD Minister on the construction of temporary market shed. Referring to the local daily, Poknapham, published on 16th June 2005, he said that some portions of the temporary market shed were dismantled very hastily just after its construction and that the construction of shed lacked quality control. He expressed fear that the lives of the shopkeepers and customers were endangered. He wanted the Minister to clarify whether the government gave any permission to its engineers to dismantle the shed.  

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, in-charge of MAHUD, replying to the Calling Attention Motion said that the temporary market shed was specially constructed to rehabilitate those vendors of the three markets. He further said that the dismantling of some of the stalls at the temporary market shed was due to some modification by the respective owners at their own costs but the government did not give any permission to its engineers to dismantle the stalls. He said that quality was maintained in the construction of sheds and works were supervised by the engineers. Clarification was made to the queries of S/Shri M. Bhorot Singh and M. Nilchandra Singh. 

DISCUSSION ON GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS:           

            Shri C. Doungel, MLA, mover of the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address initiated  the discussion observing that the address reflected all the achievements and policies of the government. Highlighting the Address, he pointed out that the financial problem of the state had been improved and wanted the government to give priority to thrust areas so that funds could be channelised to the right sectors. He stressed on the need to improve Electricity, Water, Education, Healthcare and Sports in general and to tackle unemployment problem in particular. 

            Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA, seconder of the Motion of thanks to the Governor’s Address said that the financial crisis in the state had been controlled to a large extent from assistance from the Centre. He stressed the importance of agriculture, electricity and irrigation canals in the state. He also expressed thanks to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for handing over of the Kangla to Manipur. He further emphasised the need to improve the sports, PDS and to tackle unemployment in the state. 

            Hon’ble Chairman, Shri R.K. Thekho  adjourned the House at 6.20 p.m till 11 a.m of  Friday, the 24th June, 2005.