The House assembled at 11.00 am of Thursday, the 7th July, 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 (PHED) made a reply to Starred Question No.791, asked   by Shri D. Shaiza, MLA regarding the steps taken up to face the scarcity of water during dry season in Ukhrul.            

(b)       Hon’ble  Minister (R.D. & PR)  made a reply to Starred Question No. 792,  asked by Shri N. Sovakiran Singh, MLA regarding the III phase of PMGSY.           

(c)       Hon’ble Minister (I.P.R) made a reply to Starred Question No. 793, asked by  Shri L. Ibomcha  Singh, MLA regarding the launching of websites for informing  the policies/programme of the government by DIPR.           

(d)       Hon’ble Minister (PHED) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 794, asked by  Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA regarding the construction of Zonal Reservoirs  of Hatta Minuthong and Sangakpham.           

(e)       Hon’ble Minister (PHED) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 795, asked by  Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA regarding the works taken up for the improvement of Kakching Water Supply Scheme.           

(f)        Hon’ble Minister (Power) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 796, asked by  Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA regarding the transformers installed in Imphal  West Sub-Division. 

(g)       Hon’ble Minister (R.D. & PR) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 797,  asked by Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA regarding the Innovative Housing Scheme  at Thanga under DRDA, Bishnupur District. 

(h)       Hon’ble Minister (Works) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 798, asked  by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the improvement of State Highway,  Imphal to Singda Road; Lamshang to Sekmai Road. 

(i)        Hon’ble Minister (Y.A.S) gave a reply to Starred Question No. 799, asked by  Shri N. Bihari Singh, MLA regarding the construction of a D.S.O (Y.A.S) office in  Imphal East District. 

ZERO HOUR: 

            During Zero Hour, Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA raised a matter on the atrocities of  army on a pregnant woman at Churachandpur resulting in the woman having an induced delivery of a still born child. He also drew the attention of the Works Minister regarding the repairing of a culvert near Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench. 

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA  called the attention of the Education Minister on the closing of Technology Institute of Takyelpat.  

            He quoted newspaper reports on the ongoing agitation of the students of Manipur College of Technology demanding rescheduling of the examination of one of the papers of the 8th Semester. Regarding the allegation that the questions asked were not in consonant with the allotted time for answering, he said that such mistakes should not be repeated and demanded rescheduling of the examination to save the career of the students. He asked the teaching staff to be more careful in future. 

            Shri Francis Ngajokpa, Minister (Education) replying to the motion expressed that there should be no compromise on discipline. He said that the examinees were asked to choose only three questions out of the given five but they walked out and closed the institution. The students would be allowed to appear in the next examination for the concerned paper, he said. 

            (ii)       Shri M. Nabadwip Singh, MLA called the attention of the Hon’ble Chief Minister on the excesses of C.B.I.  

            He expressed unhappiness over the assault of one Kh. Ibomcha Singh of Tera Sadokpam Leikai by the CBI personnel after he was picked up from his residence in connection with the death of Luningla Elizabeth. He said that a house search had already been conducted and nothing suspicious could be found. He highlighted the long-standing condition of the area and the plight of the panic stricken people. He drew the attention of the Chief Minister seeking protection of Kh. Ibomcha and his family. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister replying to the motion said the police station concerned was not timely reported. He raised questions on why it was not formally reported either by his family or the Meira Paibis. He said that there was still uncertainty over the involvement of CBI and that the matter would be examined. 

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

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh moved Demand No. 15 - Food & Civil Supplies, Demand No. 16 -  Co-operation, Demand No. 19 - Environment & Forest, Demand No. 44 - Social Welfare Department and Demand No. 46 - Science & Technology for discussion. 

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

            Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA moving cut motion observed that the FCS Department was full of irregularities and that the Public Distribution System was not properly implemented for the last many years. He also pointed out misutilisation of money by the dealers. Speaking on mass deforestation, he said that the activities of the Forest Department was almost nil. He also commented on the misutilisation of machinery of the LDA and the need to properly maintain the water bodies of the Loktak Lake. Regarding the Social Welfare Department, he said that the various programmes were not properly implemented and expressed that a Consultative Committee should be constituted for selection of beneficiaries. 

(Hon’ble Chairman, Dr. M. Nara Singh 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 I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA, moving a cut motion pointed out that the PDS was defective because some unscrupulous persons were hoarding SK Oil and other items taking advantage of the deteriorating law and order situation. He expressed unhappiness over the irregular distribution of SK oil and other items. He suggested legislation of a bill for preventing felling down of trees and wanted protection of trees in the reserved forest. 

            Shri M. Bhorot Singh, MLA, moving a cut motion, expressed concern over the decreasing of MLAs quotas of SK oil by 50% as well as the government’s failure of supplying the demands of the public. He wanted the government to take up action against those rationing agents who took advantage of the interference by the underground outfits in the PDS. Quoting the Annual Report of FCS Department, he expressed wonder over the reported breakdown of 43 trucks out of 48 trucks of the department and sought a verification in this regard. He also suggested for protection of trees particularly the age old banyans near MSRTC complex.  

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA, moving cut motions, expressed concern over the failure of PDS in the state. He suggested for repairing the vehicles of the FCS department with the margin money. Stressing on the need to improve the functioning of the Cooperative Department, he insisted the government to streamline its functioning for a successful cooperative movement in the state. Regarding Social Welfare Department, he wanted the rate of Old Age Pension to be increased and alleged that there were irregularities and partialities in the distribution of National Old Age Pension. He also drew the attention of the Minister on the mismanagement of Anganwadi Centres.  

            Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA, moving a cut motion suggested increasing of household quota of SK oil on need basis and to distribute the AAY rice to the grassroot level. He suggested afforestation in the hills specially near the National Highway for preserving ecological balance. He also expressed concern over the failure of milk distribution to Anganwadi Centres by the Social Welfare Department and suggested to appoint qualified persons as anganwadi helpers. 

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA, moving a cut motion said that the activity of Loktak Development Authority (LDA) was not adequate in saving the Loktak Lake and insisted the Government for taking up new strategies and seeking fund from the NEC and DONER for the purpose. He pointed out that ninety five percent of the Loktak Lake was covered by phumdis (Marshes) and siltation deposits, which also decreased fishing activities and asked the Government to take effective steps for clearing the Phumdis. Regarding the Social Welfare Department, he said that the Old Age Pension should be paid regularly with timely release of fund. 

            Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA said that FCS Department should take necessary steps to ensure the distribution of the PDS items to the grassroot level. Highlighting the importance of cooperative movement, he observed that there might be some bogus members in the Co-operative Societies or Organisations with vested interest and wanted it to be checked. Inorder to  gain self-sufficiency, he proposed to develop local handloom and handicraft industries and also to ensure recovery of loans taken for the purpose of industries. Regarding the Social Welfare Department, he proposed for proper rehabilitation of drug addicts and regular payment of the honorarium of the Anganwadi helpers.  

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA, moving a cut motion stressed the need for streamlining the PDS in the state. Pointing out the impartiality in the construction of Aganwadi Centres, he drew the Minister’s attention. He expressed regret over the closure of the Remote Sensing Application Centre despite heavy security and wanted the details regarding the matter.  

            Shri M. Nilchandra Singh, MLA, participating in the discussion expressed regret over the deduction of fund at source from the ICDP fund meant for Imphal East, Imphal West and Ukhrul Districts. Remote Sensing Application Centre need to be reopened at the earliest, he said. He drew the attention of the Minister of Environment and Forest on the deforestation in the state, siltation of Loktak Lake etc. for taking necessary action and suggested for proper monitoring of various development works of Loktak Lake sponsored by DONER. 

            Smt. Leima Devi, Minister Co-operation, replying to the discussion informed that the process for election of the new managing committee of the Manipur State Cooperative Union (MSCU) was underway with the Registrar of Cooperative Societies taking over the charge. She also informed the House that a Yarn Bank would be opened at the earliest in collaboration with the Textile Cooperation of India in order to facilitate weavers of the state. Funds of ICDP  for Imphal East, Imphal West and Ukhrul District was deducted by NCDC due to the non-payment of loans by different cooperative societies in the state, she informed and said that steps were being taken up for loan recovery. Further, she informed the House that as per the Juvenile Act, three cells had been set up at Takyel and steps were being taken up for making it a full fledged Juvenile Home. She informed that Old Age Pension Scheme would be made available to the beneficiaries at the earliest. She also said that selection of beneficiaries for the Family Benefit Scheme was made by a District Level Committee and any irregularities would be looked into. Regarding construction of Aganwadi Centres, it would taken up after release of fund, she informed the House.           

            Shri Ngamthang Haokip, Minister ( Science and Technology, Forest and Enviroment and FCS)  replying to the discussion said that the monthly allocation of PDS items were being distributed properly. He further clarified that rice could not be stored in FCS Godowns in the hills due to the law and order situation. Regarding Forest and Environment, he said that afforestation programes were being taken up and phumdis from different areas of Loktak Lake had been cleared. The Manipur Science Centre which was eastablished at the cost of Rs. 2 crores was innaugurated, he informed the House. Further, he informed that the Remote Sensing Application Centre would be reopened at the earliest after discussing the matter with  the Hon’ble Chief Minister.            

            All the cut motions were withdrawn and the five demands, Demand Nos.  15, 16, 19, 44 & 46 were passed unanimously by the House. 

            Hon’ble Chairman R.K. Thekho adjourned the House at 5.55 p.m till 11.00 a.m of  Monday, the 11th July, 2005.