The House assembled at 11.00 am of Thursday, the 30th 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),  and 45  Elected Members. 

QUESTIONS:   

(a)       Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) made a reply to Starred Question No. 752, asked  by Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA regarding the appointment of adhoc Mandals.           

(b)       Hon’ble Minister (PHED) made a reply to Starred Question No. 753, asked     by Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA regarding the construction of Pump House  of Pallel Water Supply Scheme.           

(c)       Hon’ble  Minister (Power)  made a reply to Starred Question No. 754, asked  by Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the revenue collected  by the Department.           

(d)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) made a reply to Starred Question No. 755, asked  by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the  number of Economic  Importance Schemes received by the State, sponsored by the Ministry of Road,  Transport and Highways. 

(e)       Hon’ble Minister (Works)  gave a reply to Starred Question No. 756, asked by  Shri S. Chandra Singh, MLA regarding the repairing of Andro - Andro Khunou  Torongthel and Ngariyan-Andro Road. 

(f)        Hon’ble Minister (Revenue) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 757, asked  by Shri N. Bihari  Singh, MLA regarding the proposal of constructing a Circular Link Road of Imphal East D.C office. 

ZERO_HOUR: 

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA drew the attention of the Chief Minister to the alarming reports following the ongoing blockade imposed by the ADC Demand Committee in the Imphal - Moreh Road for taking up urgent steps. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA raised a matter on the using of gas horns by violating prohibitory rule. He also highlighted the present condition of the drainage system of the Manipur Assembly Secretariat. 

REPORTS TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE: 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister laid the following papers on the Table of the House. 

(i)        Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended  31st March, 2004, Government of Manipur. 

(ii)       Finance Accounts, 2003-2004, Government of Manipur. 

            (iii)      Appropriation Accounts, 2003-2004, Government of Manipur.

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        Shri B.D. Behring, MLA called the attention of the Chief Minister on the widespread destruction of buildings and other properties caused by hailstorm in Chandel District.  

            He highlighted the condition of the different areas of Chandel district after the devastating hailstorm and enquired whether the government received any report of it from the authorities concerned. He also demanded a detailed report of the relief measures taken up by the government in this regard. Regarding the low production of rice, he drew the attention of the Chief Minister and the Agriculture Minister to take up remedial steps. 

            Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh, replying to the motion said that the authorities concerned were asked to submit a detailed report and relief measures to compensate the loss would be taken up accordingly. He said that there was no report from the DC Chandel on the failure of Jhum cultivation. 

            (ii)       Shri  O. Joy Singh and Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLAs called the attention of the Chief Minister on the possibility of setting up of a Boundary Commission for Naga inhabited area. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA moving the Calling Attention Motion quoted local dailies and expressed apprehension on the possibility of setting up of a Boundary Commission by the Centre. He said that there might be hidden agenda in the context of  peace talk between the Centre and the NSCN(IM). He said that if the Centre took up such a step than there would be bloodshed and that the Centre must be apprised of the consequence of such an eventuality. He sought a precise clarification to erase the apprehension. 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA co-mover of the motion said such sentimental issues created tension in the mind of the general public. He made observations on the ancient boundary of Manipur which extended much larger than the present one. He said that if the Nagas persisted  on their demand for a Greater Nagaland, why shouldn’t  Manipur demand a Greater Manipur.  And the Manipur Assembly should discuss and pass a resolution in that context, he added.  Regarding the reported plan to set up a Boundary Commission, he said that it was unfortunate. 

            Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh, replying to the motion said that he had made enquiries  to the Centre and that there was no possibility of setting up a Boundary Commission. He said that the Manipur boundary was undisputable and that there was no question of compromising the territorial integrity of the State at any cost. 

STATEMENT BY THE AGRICULTURE MINISTER: 

            Shri P. Parijat Singh, Minister (Agriculture), made a statement on the drought situation of the State. 

(Hon’ble Chairman, Md. Abdul Salam adjourned the morning session at 1.10 p.m. till 2.15 p.m. of the day). 

(The afternoon session resumed at 2.15 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair). 

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

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved Demand No. 4 - Land Revenue, Stamps & Registration and District Administration,  Demand No. 8 - Public Works Department,  Demand No. 26 - Administration of Justice,  Demand No. 35 - Stationery and Printing, and  Demand No. 42 - State Academy of Training for discussion. 

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

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA, moving Cut Motions said that due to closing down of Settlement Office at Lamphel, maintenance of land record was completely failed and added that Revenue Department failed to monitor check-post resulting in the short fall of revenue collection. He said that District administration could not reach the interior parts of the state and that it created a sense of alienation to the people of that area. He further said that many cases were pending in the Judicial Court and added that it failed to provide legal aid to the people of remote areas as it was confined only at Lamphel. Regarding PWD, he said that all works were not taken up to the expectation of the people and added that the department lacked quality control. Drawing the attention of Works Minister, he expressed concern over the non completion of flyover and bad condition of Uripok road near District and Session court. He further expressed that drainage system of the IVRs should be improved. 

            Shri B.D. Behring, MLA, moving a cut motion said that Works Department failed to implement work programs of the department and added that despite the construction of Pallel-Chandel, Chandel-Sugnu, Chakpikarong-Sajiktampak  roads being reflected in the work program, tender notice was still not yet issued. He wanted the government to award the works to BRTF and GREF if the department still failed to take up the works. He also drew the attention of Work Minister to allot a quarter for him.  

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA, raising cut motions said that the government still failed to make land compensation in connection with the eviction drive in the adjoining areas of the Manipur University and drew the attention of Revenue Minister to make arrangements for the rehabilitation of the victims. He further said that the Revenue Department failed to detect fake pattas and proper taxes were not collected. The revenue collection could not reach up to the targeted amount, he said. Regarding PWD, he said that the department lacked quality control in all works and added that works couldn’t be started and completed on time. It failed to supply construction materials to the contractors in time, he also added. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA, moving cut motions observed that MLR&LR Act should be extended across the state by incorporating suitable provision for the hill areas. He charged the Revenue Department that tax collection was not taken up properly and suggested the need of organising mobile camps for revenue collection. He mentioned among other things, the non computerisation of land records, under valued registration of land, non compliance of eviction laws, etc. Regarding PWD, he said that unauthorised encashment of cheques should be checked and added that funds should be released for timely completion of works. Further he suggested the department to set up an Emergency Squad in all districts to supervise all works by its staff without contractors. Regarding Judiciary, he wanted the department to establish a separate High Court for Manipur and added that the number of Judges and APP should be increased. He suggested that a bigger allocation be earmarked for purchase of books for the Law department.  

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA, moving cut motion observed that there was almost no administration in the hill districts and added that administrative works were carried out mostly from Imphal. He said that land registration should be done properly to collect more revenues of the department. He expressed concern on the non functioning of SDC Office in their actual location and added that no SDC was posted at Heingang. Regarding PWD, he said that the department failed to supervise works and maintain quality and added that there were irregularities in the award of work orders and bill payments. He expressed concern over the non completion of Thoubal- Mayang Imphal road and Thoubal-Yairipok road. He also drew the attention of Works Minister to clarify when the Yairipok bridge would be completed.  

            Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA, moving a cut motion observed that MLR & LR Act should be amended for a uniform Land Law in the state and expressed unhappiness that Agricultural Land had been reducing day by day. He wanted the department to conduct a resurvey in this regard. He further expressed the desire to enact a bill for a plan of the mole hills in the valley. He expressed the sentiments and apprehension felt by the inhabitants of Lei-Ingkhol at Chingmeirong in connection with the Capital Project and wanted the government to shift the Capital Project to another more suitable place. He said a uniform development should be brought in the hills and plains so that emotional integrity could be enhanced. He also drew the attention of Works Minister to clarify how much fund had been released and to be released for the construction of the Singjamei bridge. 

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA, supporting the Cut Motion, pointed out the importance of the NH-39 and NH-53 and lamented for the slow and delayed work of the widening NH-39 from Koirengei to Chingmeirong. He suggested diversion of NH-39 and NH-53 for convenience to the general public. He also said that the Imphal- Kangchup road was in a deteriorating condition. He asked whether PMGSY was under the RD&PR Department or the PWD and pointed out the works under the scheme as lacking quality control. He also suggested elevating the bridges on NH-53 in view of floods. 

            Shri E. Biramani Singh, MLA participating in the discussion observed that the Revenue Department is one of the major departments in Manipur and pointed out the multi-functional duty of the officers of the department. Downsizing in the Revenue Department was unfortunate, he asserted and suggested that rightsizing must be done in the department. He drew the attention of the Minister (Revenue), on the scarcity of nonjudicial stamps and expressed apprehension over the growing number of fake stamps. 

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA, supporting the Cut Motions, said that a resolution of extending the MLR & LR Act to the hills was passed  by the House during the Chief Ministership of (Late) Shri R.K. Jaichandra Singh and suggested the extension of the same to the hills for enhancing revenue income and extending ownership rights. He drew the attention of the House on the alleged misappropriation of fund by engineers of PWD pertaining to the erstwhile RMC Hospital and construction of Old Cachar Road. 

            Shri Th. Debendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister in charge of Works, Revenue and Administration of Justice, clarified that the PMGSY had been separated from the PWD by a Cabinet decision. He said that the Government was trying to get additional fund from external sources for construction and development works. He informed the House that the Government was considering to shift the Settlement Directorate to a safer site. Fund for repairing the roads in Chandel District had been earmarked, he said. He further clarified that a substantial collection of revenue was made and that fake pattas had been cancelled. The rehabilitation of the evicted persons from the Manipur University Compound would be considered, he said. He assured the House that quality control in the construction works would be looked into seriously. All construction works of roads and bridges in the state would be taken up in full swing he said. The issue of Sardar Hills as a full fledged district would be examined, he said and added that reorganisation of SDC offices on need basis would be made. Regarding the appointment of APP, posting of Chief Judicial Magistrates, purchase of books for the Law Department, he said that he would look into the matters. A clarification was made to a query of Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA. 

            All the cut motions were withdrawn and the five demands Demand Nos. 4, 8, 26, 35 & 42 were passed unanimously by the House. 

            Hon’ble Chairman, Shri R.K. Thekho adjourned the House at 5.30 p.m till 11.00 a.m of  Friday, the 1st July, 2005.