The House assembled at 11.00 am of Tuesday, the 28th 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) made a reply to Starred Question No. 739, asked     by Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA regarding the non-completion of the construction of retaining wall.           

(b)       Hon’ble Minister (Tourism) made a reply to Starred Question No. 740, asked  by Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the construction of Recreation  facilities Gallery-cum-Platform at Thangjing Temple, Moirang.           

(c)       Hon’ble  Minister (Works)  made a reply to Starred Question No. 741, asked  by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the number of schemes received  by the State, from the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.           

(d)       Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) made a reply to Starred Question No. 742, asked by Shri N. Bihari  Singh, MLA regarding the expansion of N.H. 150.           

(e)       Hon’ble Minister (P.H.E.D) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 743, asked by  Shri D. Shaiza, MLA regarding the construction of Water Supply Scheme  at Ukhrul under NLCPR Pool. 

(f)        Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 744, asked by  Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA regarding the purchase of Drum (Hot) Mix Plant.           

(g)       Hon’ble Minister (P.H.E.D) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 745, asked by  Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the construction of Andro Water Supply Schemes. 

(h)       Hon’ble Minister (Horticulture) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 746, asked  by Shri N.Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the Vermi Compost. 

(i)        Hon’ble Minister (P.H.E.D) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 747, asked by  Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA regarding the construction of Water Supply  Schemes in Moirang A/C. 

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        S/Shri S. Chandra Singh and Ningthoujam Biren, MLAs called the attention of the T.D. Minister on the issue of Scheduled Castes Certificate. 

            Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA  while moving the Calling Attention Motion said that DC Thoubal and SDO Kakching had been violating Article 341 of the Indian Constitution by issuing SC Certificates to the residents of Kakching, Chairen and Pallel. He made references to the recommendations of various Enquiry Commissions to the State Government which accepted eight villages as Lois or Scheduled Castes and the subsequent acceptance of it by the State Government and the publication of the same in the Extra Ordinary Gazette of Manipur and added that Kakching, Chairen, Pallel etc. were not mentioned in these recommendations. He further argued that a State Government can only recommend for inclusion of a certain section of people but cannot grant SC status without the approval of the Parliament. This gross violation by the DC and SDO had victimised the real SCs, he said and that they were gearing up for a huge agitation. He further said that it was the Government’s duty to protect and help the minorities and expressed regret over the gross negligence of the present Government while dealing with this issue.  

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA , co- mover of the motion, said that the motion was moved as there was an apprehension of a violent agitation by the Scheduled Castes. He referred to the recommendation of an Expert Committee headed by a retired Justice of a High Court, which had accepted eight villages as Lois or SCs and which was also accepted by the State Government. He, therefore, questioned the validity of issuing SC Certificates to the people of Kakching, Chairen, Pallel etc. which were not mentioned in the list of the eight villages. He also expressed regret over the lacklustre response of the T.D. Minister and the Chief Minister everytime the matter was apprised to them. He further asked whether the Central Government had accepted the residents of Kakching, Chairen, Pallel etc. as Lois or SC.  

            Shri Phungzathang, Minister (Tribal Development), replying to the Calling Attention Motion said that the issue was a controversial one and that the delay in solving the issue was mainly due to the various cases and counter cases in the Gauhati High Court and the Supreme Court by both the contending parties. He made references to various recommendations by enquiry committees and the Presidential Order which accepted eight villages as Lois or SC and also on a subsequent High Court order to recognise all Lois as SC. But due to counter challenge by one group in the Supreme Court, he informed that the matter could not be solved. The matter, he said, was put up to the Chief Minister and that the matter was under the active consideration of the government. He further informed that Law Department was also being consulted.            

            S/Shri  S. Chandra Singh and Ningthoujam Biren, MLAs sought further clarifications from the T.D. Minister. 

            Shri Phungzathang, Minister ( Tribal Development), clarified that the Law Department would be consulted for reaching a solution very soon. 

            (ii)       Dr. Nimaichand Luwang and Shri O. Joy Singh, MLAs called the attention of the Chief Minister on the appointment of drivers and manipulation of ACRs in the Manipur Public Service Commission. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA moving the Calling Attention Motion quoted an article published in the local daily, Poknapham of 23rd June alleging appointment of four drivers on the sly and manipulation of ACRs in the MPSC. He pointed out that such appointment was in complete violation of the Government’s ban on fresh appointment and wanted the government to fix responsibility. He further pointed out that the appointment of the three members of the MPSC was in violation of Article 316 of the Indian Constitution which lays down rules and regulation for the appointment of Members of Public Service Commissions. He sought a detailed clarification from the Chief Minister in charge regarding all these irregularities. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA, co- mover of the Calling Attention Motion, termed the irregular appointments in the MPSC as unfortunate and added that an efficient Public Service Commission was necessary for producing good officers in order to have good governance. Appointment of persons who possessed no administrative knowledge for such offices as MPSC Members was an unhealthy practice, he maintained. He suggested winding up MPSC and handing over the responsibilities of MPSC to UPSC. He wanted a clear-cut statement from the Chief Minister in-charge regarding the issue.  

(Hon’ble Chairman, Dr. M. Nara Singh, adjourned the morning session at 1.15 p.m. till 2.15 p.m. of the day). 

(The afternoon session resumed at 2.20 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair). 

            Shri Th. Debendra Singh, Chief Minister in-charge replying to the Calling Attention Motion  clarified that the appointment of four drivers despite government ban on appointments and manipulation of ACR for promotion in the MPSC were found correct. He informed the House that action would be taken up in this regard after the matter being brought up to the notice of the Chief Minister. He further informed the House that there was no defect in the appointment of the three Members of the MPSC. He, however, made it clear that Article 316 of the Constitution of India would be closely examined. To a query made by Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA, he assured the House that the bio-data of each members  would be made available to the House and that a statement on the matter would be made at a latter date. 

GENERAL DISCUSSION ON BUDGET ESTIMATES, 2005-2006: 

            Shri R.K. Dorendra Singh, MLA participating in the discussion observed that the budget session would better be convened in March every year instead of passing Vote on Accounts for timely utilisation of budget allocation. He said that budget allocation to different departments should be made in time. Drawing the attention of Finance Minister, he suggested that trained Accountants should be provided to all departments and training also be conducted if necessary. He expressed the desire of widening N.H-53 instead of N.H-39 in view of the proposed Trans-Asian Highway and added that urban bypasses needed to be constructed to ease road congestion. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA while participating in the discussion pointed out that the budget  was not a good budget that it could not give much benefit to the public and asked how far the money could reach to the public. Regarding the widening of roads, he said that it should be carried out under due process of law and further said that the government should maintain a master plan in greater Imphal areas. On the ongoing economic blockade on the National highways, he said that the state government invited such a situation. 

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA participating in the discussion observed that the budget was a  tentative and a deficit budget. He said that while preparing budget, past experience should be taken into account so that fund could be utilised more judiciously. He further said that audit report of the relief funds received from all sources should be made. He expressed concern over the non-functioning of railway reservation booking counter in MSRTC.           

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA participating in the discussion observed that the government did not have a clear cut policy to control the departments in the implementation of schemes and programmes. He wanted sectorial allocation of funds for giving more emphasis on thrust areas. He wanted the government to create self employment avenues of educated people of the state by extending loan on relaxed terms. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA participating in the discussion, expressed that there was no reason for rejoicing for the increase in plan size because greater burden of interest for the borrowing and debts from the Centre would aggravate the financial position of the state in near future. He endorsed the government plan of widening the NH-39 particularly from Moirangkhom to Singjamei as the area being very congested. He observed that the site for Capital Project at Chingmeirong would be more suitable for recreation site like parks and the project might better be shifted to other suitable places like Langol hill. He described the budget as not an optimistic one.  

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA  participating in the discussion, expressed dissatisfaction over the functioning of PWD, Power Department and PHED. He regretted that the distribution of SK oil and AAY rice was interfered by unknown persons. As the water of Singda was diverted for drinking water supply, there was no adequate water for irrigation, he said and suggested for providing pump sets. He sought the attention of the government for expediting installing and repairing of transformers in his constituency. 

            Shri Th. Debendra Singh, Minister (Works), Chief Minister in-charge replying to the budget discussion, said that resource mobilisation was necessary as there was a big gap between income and expenditure of the state. He informed the House that the government was considering the construction of urban bypasses. The construction work of NH-53 was in full swing by the BRTF with the aid of security forces and that of NH-150 was underway, he enlightened the House. The government was considering to raise the DA of the state government employees if less than the rate of central services, he informed the House. The railway reservation booking counter at MSRTC campus would be reopened very soon and negotiation with the railway authorities was made, he said. He informed the House that the government was attempting to introduce the Manipur State Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Bill, 2005 in the current Assembly Session. The construction work of Assembly Building under the Capital Project would probably  be started  from coming  August, he added. He clarified that the site of High Court and the Civil Secretariat was suitable at Mantripukhri. He also informed that the Government had framed an “Action Calendar” for the commencement and completion of development works. 

             Dr. M. Nara Singh, Chairman, announced that a statement on the drought situation in the state would be made on the next day. 

            Hon’ble Chairman, Dr. M. Nara Singh, adjourned the House at 5.25 p.m till 11.00 a.m of  Wednesday, the 29th June, 2005.