The House assembled at 11.00 am of Monday, the 27th June, 2005 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair. 

MEMBERS PRESENT: 

            10 Cabinet Ministers, Chairman (Hill Areas Committee),1 Minister of State and 44 Elected Members. 

QUESTIONS: 

(a)       Hon’ble Minister (Works), Chief Minister in-charge made a reply to Starred  Question No. 731, asked by Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the  number of insurgents and civilians died from 2002  till date.           

(b)       Hon’ble Minister (T.D.) made a reply to Starred Question No. 733, asked by Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA regarding the functioning of Ashram Schools under the Tribal Development Department.           

(c)       Hon’ble  Minister (Health)  made a reply to Starred Question No. 734, asked by  Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the pending cases of granting study  leave to M.H.S. Doctors.           

(d)       Hon’ble Minister (Health) made a reply to Starred Question No. 735,  asked by  Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA  regarding the withdrawal of fund meant for  the construction of latrine for C.H.C., Kakching.           

(e)       Hon’ble Minister (Works), Chief Minister in-charge made a reply to Starred Question No. 736, asked by  Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA regarding the numbers of meiteis settled in other parts of India. 

(f)        Hon’ble Minister (M.I.) made a reply to Starred Question No. 738, asked  by Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the  fund  sanctioned for the  construction  of canals.  

            Answers to Starred Question Nos. 732 & 737 were laid on the Table of the House.           

ZERO-HOUR: 

            During Zero- Hour, Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA  raised a matter regarding the non availability of answer to the questions in advance. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA  drew the attention of the House regarding the problems faced by the people due to the indefinite closedown of the Railway booking counter at the MSRTC complex. 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER: 

            Hon’ble Speaker, Shri T.N. Haokip announced that the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh alongwith  the Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board, Dr. Chaltonlien Amo had gone to New Delhi to attend the National Development Council meeting. 

ANNOUNCEMENT OF BUSINESS:

            Shri Th. Debendra Singh, Minister (Works), Chief Minister in-charge, announced the business for the week. 

PAPER LAID ON THE TABLE: 

            Shri Th. Debendra Singh, Minister (Works), Chief Minister in-charge, laid the Annual Report of State Vigilance Commission for the year 2004-2005 on the Table of the House. 

CALLING  ATTENTION: 

            (i)        Shri I. Hemochandra  Singh, MLA called the attention of the Revenue Minister on the Governments Plan to widen N.H. 39. He expressed apprehension of the people regarding the hasty  act of the government in the notification of land acquisition by demolishing buildings on N.H. 39. Regarding the widening of roads from Krishna Premi Oil Pump up to Singjamei Parking, Section 17 was invoked and pointed out the disparity while issuing notifications of similar cases. He said that it was a sentimental issue and would have far reaching consequences. He maintained that the acquisition of land should be done under the due process of law with the co-operation of the public. He also raised queries whether due compensation and other ramifications had been considered.  

            Shri Erabot Yumkam, MLA supporting the motion, made allegations against the government for its hastiness and discrimination in the land acquisition process. He also raised questions on the criteria and justification in the land acquisition notifications. He said that public sentiments must be taken into account on such issue.   

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA also supported the motion and said that a master plan should be made available to the public first. He said that the government should have a rethinking on this issue and that a collective wisdom was necessary.  

            Shri Th. Debendra Singh, Minister (Revenue), replying to the motion expressed the need to widen N.H. 39. He said that the Singjamei road was accident prone and there had been a public demand for its expansion. He said that the due compensation would be given to the affected families. He said that opportunities to be heard would be given to aggrieved  parties in the land acquisition process. Lastly, he made an assurance to issue fresh notification under Section 4 and Section 5(A) of the Land Acquisition Act as a reply to a query by I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA. 

            (ii)       S/Shri O. Joy Singh and L. Ibomcha Singh, MLAs called the attention of Chief minister on the result of the MBBS/BDS Entrance Examination, 2005. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA said that the selection of MBBS/BDS candidates was  shrouded in controversy every year. He quoted press reports regarding the irregularities in the publication of selection list. Regarding, the mistakes found in the question, he alleged that it was due to the negligence and the lapses on the part of the moderators and the selection Board and said that they should be fixed responsibilities. He said that it created confusion in the mind of the people and sought a precise and clear-cut clarification. 

(Hon’ble Chairman, Dr. M. Nara Singh  adjourned the morning session at 1.10 p.m. till 2.10 p.m. of the day). 

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

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA, co-mover of the calling attention Motion, pointed out that there were loopholes in the MBBS/BDS Entrance Examination Rules and that there was no clear-cut policy in the reservation of seats. The number of seats needed to be increased, he observed. There were irregularities in the selection list in respect of reserved seats and  question setting as well, he alleged and added that some candidates were included both in the reserve and general categories. He observed that there was no open counselling in allotting the Medical Colleges to the selected candidates, which created subsequent difficulties to the candidates. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA, participating in the discussion observed  that some sections of the Rules needed to be rectified. He raised a question regarding the fluctuating number of seats from year to year. He also observed that the publication of the selection list thrice would arouse the suspicion of the public and expressed wonder for placing the same candidate both in the two categories of reserve and general seats. He expressed the desire that negative marking  be reintroduced in this examination. Lamenting for the repeated controversies in the MBBS/BDS Entrance Examinations, he suggested that this examination would better be handed over to CBSE.   

            Shri L. Nandakumar Singh, Hon’ble Minister (Health), replying to the Calling Attention Motion said that MBBS/BDS Entrance Examination Rules was all comprehensive. He clarified that the Selection Board was constituted as per rules. Regarding the allegation of concealing two seats, he further clarified that there was no question of forfeiting or manipulating the two seats included in the general quota. The entrance examination was conducted with all justice and fairness without any vested interest, he said. Regarding the inclusion of seats of the sports quota in the general list, he regretted for this bona fide human error. 

            S/Shri O. Joy Singh, L. Ibomcha Singh & Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLAs, sought clarification on reservation policy, counselling, framing of selection list, etc. 

            The Health Minister, Shri L. Nandakumar Singh made clarification. 

            As the movers were not satisfied with the reply, they demanded all the relevant documents to be placed before the House.

            The Hon’ble Speaker directed that the matter be brought up under an appropriate motion for a comprehensive discussion. 

GENERAL DISCUSSION ON BUDGET ESTIMATES, 2005-2006: 

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA initiating the discussion on Budget Estimates, pointed out that the amount allocated for plan sector was very small and added that the Budget Estimates lacked proper direction for development. He suggested for framing of an industrial and an agricultural policy. He also pointed out   the lack of evaluation and monitoring of performance of the various ongoing development works. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA  participating in the discussion pointed out the haphazard manner of the government while taking up the various development works like the Capital Project, development of the Kangla, widening of national highways etc. and suggested the need for sticking to a proper master plan. And he mentioned among other things, irregular supply of water, power, disparity in the allocation of electric transformers and bad condition of roads in his constituency. 

            Hon’ble Chairman, Shri R.K. Thekho,  adjourned the House at 5.05 p.m till 11.00 a.m of  Tuesday, the 28th June, 2005.