The House assembled at 11.00 am of Wednesday, the 29th 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 44  Elected Members. 

QUESTIONS:  

            (a)       Hon’ble  Minister (Works), Chief Minister in-charge made a reply to  Starred
                       Question No.748, asked by Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA   regarding the plan
                       taken up to identify black clothed men.           

(b)       Hon’ble  Minister (Works), Chief Minister in-charge made a reply to Starred Question No. 749, jointly asked by S/Shri N. Bihari  Singh and M. Bhorot Singh, MLAs regarding the amount sanctioned for the construction  of Ima Market.           

(c)       Hon’ble  Minister (Hills & T.D.)  made a reply to Starred Question No. 750,  asked by Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA regarding the employees serving             under Autonomous District Councils of Manipur.           

(d)       Hon’ble Minister (Education) made a reply to Starred Question No. 751, asked by Shri N. Bihari  Singh, MLA regarding the number of teachers in the Education (S) Department. 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER: 

            Hon’ble Speaker, made an announcement that he had received a letter from His Excellency, the Governor of Manipur, Dr. S.S. Sidhu, thanking the House for passing the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address.  

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        S/Shri M. Nilchandra Singh and I. Hemochandra Singh, MLAs called the attention of the Chief  Minister on the economic blockades on National Highways 39 and 53. 

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA highlighted the inconveniences faced by the people due to the ongoing blockade. He said that it was a sensitive issue and the government should not remain a mere spectator. He expressed apprehension on the scarcity of essential commodities and the need to chalk out a permanent solution in this regard. Regarding the consequence leading to the strike, he alleged that the government was responsible for it because of the lack of wisdom in taking decisions. He said that violation of free movement was illegal and that sentiment of all communities must be respected. 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA co-mover of the motion expressed the need to handle the issue properly. He said that inspite of the deadlock, no effective step was being taken up and that the government lacked sincerity. He also raised question on the government stand in declaring June 18 as a State Holiday. He wanted the government to understand the gravity of the situation and explore means for a solution to this chronic problem. Lastly, he demanded that a contingency plan of the government at this juncture should be placed in the House.  

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA  supporting the motion, expressed that the June 18 incident was a blessing in disguise. He said that the declaration of June 18 as a holiday was an unwise step of the government. Regarding the imposition of such blockades, he said that it was a result of the wrong policies of the State Government. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA supporting the motion said that inspite of the difficulties faced by the people, the government didn’t take up any step for negotiation. He stressed the need to make alternative arrangement to transport essential commodities. He also said that steps should be taken up for development of the border town, Mao. To chalk out a peaceful solution, a high power team should be constituted, he said. 

            Shri Th. Debendra Singh, Chief Minister in-charge replying to the motion, said that it was a burning issue and he understood the seriousness of the situation. Regarding the problems faced by the public, he said it was unfortunate. He fervently appealed to all the sections of the people to maintain peaceful co-existence by being tolerant. He said that the blockade might have been imposed at the instigation of certain vested interest and that a motivation campaign for renouncing violent act of agitation would be taken up. He said that the Chief Minister after his return from Delhi would give a comprehensive statement on the issue.  

            (ii)       Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA called the attention of the Fisheries Minister on the ban of the Government on fishing in Loktak Lake and Takmu Commercial Fishing Farm.           

            He said that the government order was a negative step which created unrest among the fishing community. He quoted press reports of agitation being raised by the people of Thanga.  He wanted the government to spell out rehabilitation measures to be taken up. He maintained that the order would be ineffective and sought a precise clarification from the Minister. 

            Shri N. Mangi Singh, Minister (Fisheries) replying to the motion said that it was done under the Manipur Fisheries Act, 1988 for the welfare of the fishermen to increase fish population. Though Takmu Commercial Fish Farm which was owned by the government was closed, Loktak Lake remained opened, he said. He also mentioned some of the relief and welfare schemes taken up by the government in this regard. 

(Hon’ble Chairman, Dr. M. Nara Singh adjourned the morning session at 1.20 p.m. till 2.20p.m. of the day).

(The afternoon session resumed at 2.30 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair). 

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

            Shri Th. Debendra Singh, Minister (Works), Chief Minister in-charge moved Demand No. 1 - State Legislature,  Demand No. 2 - Council of Ministers,  Demand No. 3 - Secretariat,  Demand No. 27 - Election, and  Demand No. 30 - General Economics Services and Planning for discussion. 

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

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA moving cut motions suggested for giving financial assistance to ex-CMs and ex-Members of the state depending on the gravity of their needs. He also suggested that a Xerox machine, an operator along with a computer operator be provided for Member’s Service in the Assembly Secretariat. Regarding the failure to constitute consultative Committees in the government departments inspite of decisions being taken, he suggested that the respective Committees be formed at the earliest. On the lack of policy for economic measures, he demanded that a  Committee of Officers be constituted for the purpose. He also expressed his unhappiness over the non-allotment of vehicles for official trips to the Members by the officials of Manipur Bhavan, New Delhi. He stressed the need for paying attention to the Manipur Bhavans at Guwahati and Shillong. 

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA moving a cut motion observed that various departments of the State Government including the Election Department owed a huge amount to MANITRON which resulted in the inability to give salary to its employees. He, therefore, enquired if any steps were being taken up for reviving MANITRON and when the due amount would be given to the Corporation. Further, he highlighted the non-completion of work for printing of revised electoral roll. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA moving a cut motion observed that the State Secretariat had become a hot bed of corruption, nepotism, etc. and stressed the need for streamlining it. He further added that the  employees of the Secretariat flouted the Civil Service Conduct Rules by leaking out information of the Government to unauthorised persons. He mentioned, among other things, the problems arising out of land acquisition, scarcity of water for agriculture, economic blockade on the National Highways and issue of territorial integrity. 

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA moving a cut motion said that educated unemployed youths of the state are left in the lurch with no avenues for earning due to the lack of proper guidelines and pointed out the need  for framing proper guidelines. He was of the opinion that the views of the Planning Department needed  to be followed by the various implementing agencies in order to bring about development in the State. He expressed regret over the delay in the process of economic census.

            Dr Nimaichand Luwang, MLA moving a cut  motion pointed out the lack of transparency in the working system of the State Secretariat and added that secrecy was not at all maintained regarding important documents of the Government. He also highlighted the adulteration of petrol available at the Government Oil Depot, non-uniformity in the room rent of the Manipur Bhavans and inability to utilise funds of the GAD.  

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA suggested the need for increasing funds for the State Legislature in view of the various development works, including a proper drainage system, that need to be taken up. Pointing out lack of transparency in disposing of files and non maintenance of secrecy of Government documents in the Secretariat, he drew the attention of the Chief Minister for their rectification. He inquired when funds for SEGP would be sanctioned. Further, he stressed the need for constructing the Manipur Bhavan at Guwahati at the earliest. 

             Shri N. Mangi, Singh, Minister (General Economics Services) replying to the cut motion informed that the department, though small with a small budget, had been performing extremely well in keeping with current demands for information. The department, he informed, apart from bringing out several Survey Reports, Statistical Abstracts, District Statistical Handbook, collecting various data and information from all over the state, the Fifth Economic Survey also would be completed very soon. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister, replying to the cut motions expressed that a House Committee was examining whether allowances could be increased for Ex-Chief Ministers, Ex-Ministers and Ex-MLAs apart from the existing allowances. He also informed that the Government was considering setting up Consultative Committee and added that steps to plug expenditures by the Government was being taken up and that the non allotment of vehicles at Delhi and Kolkata Manipur Bhavans was part of that step. He also admitted that Manipur Bhavan at Guwahati was in a bad shape but added that its construction would begin from the current year. He further clarified that the tussle between MANITRON and Election Department would be resolved soon for payment of outstanding dues. The Government, he said, was also doing everything to maintain secrecy in the Secretariat and that actions were being taken up against employees who delayed movement of files. All mistakes could be rectified, he said, and appealed to all movers of Cut Motions to withdraw and allow the Demands to pass. 

            S/Shri L. Ibomcha Singh and N. Biren, MLAs sought further clarifications and Hon’ble Chief Minister gave clarifications. 

            At the end of the discussion, all the cut motions were withdrawn and the five demands  Demand Nos. 1, 2, 3, 27& 30 were passed by the House. 

HALF-AN-HOUR DISCUSSION: 

            Shri Erabot Yungkham, MLA raising a Half-an-Hour Discussion on the construction of Bir Tikendrajit Bhavan, New Delhi arising out of Starred Question No. 725 asked on 24-6-05, said that the Committee on Estimates had inspected the Bhavan and found the doors, windows, lifts, floors, wiring system, etc. in bad shape, though it was newly inaugurated on 24-12-2001. He  also questioned the reason for taking over such a substandard construction by the Government.

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister, replying to the Half-an-Hour Discussion admitted that the Bhavan was hastily inaugurated by the then Deputy Prime Minister on 24-12-2001 without item-wise checking of the construction and that quality was not maintained in it. He informed that CPWD was the construction agency but engineers of PWD Manipur went there from time to time to examine the construction. All the items requiring repair and rectification were repaired by the CPWD without any financial burden on the State government, he informed the House. 

            Shri Erabot Yungkham, MLA, wanted the government to take some exemplary action against those PWD officials. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister, said that all the lapses would be looked into. 

            Hon’ble Speaker, Shri T.N. Haokip, adjourned the House at 5.00 p.m till 11.00 a.m of  Thursday, the 30th June, 2005.