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* SUMMARY
LIST OF GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS
Address
by His Excellency, the Governor of Manipur, Shri Sayed Muzaffar
Husain Burney to the Manipur Legislative Assembly on 21.2.1983.
Mananiya Adhyaksha Amasung Ikai Khumnaraba Membershing,
I have great pleasure in addressing you in the opening Session of
the Sixth Legislative
Assembly this year.
LAW AND ORDER
2. The Honourable Members would be aware of the marked improvement
which has taken place in the law and order situation in the State.
As compared to earlier years, we have had an extremely peaceful year
barring some stray incidents and normal conditions have, more or
less, been restored. The Republic Day Celebrations, with the
colourful participation of the I.A.F. this year, were a resounding
success and the audience of about 1½ lakhs for the parade at Imphal
was truly unprecedented.
3. In the valley, the activities of the Meitei extremists which had
been causing immense concern during the year 1981 have decreased
now. Even though we have some strength of Army and Para-Military
Forces deployed in the State, most of the policing functions are
being carried out by the Civil Police. During the past year, my
Government sustained its pressure on counter insurgency operations,
arresting and detaining 60 insurgents under the N.S.A. During the
year, 311 extremists were captured and 32 killed in various
operations. Out of the 51 persons, who had escaped from the jail
between 1980 & 1982, 14 have been re-arrested, 13 killed and 3
surrendered.
REHABILITATION
4. In response to appeals made to the extremists on various
occasions, 69 of them have surrendered with arms and ammunitions
before various authorities. The Government have been taking steps to
ensure that the persons who surrendered, are rehabilitated properly,
by extending assistance to enable them to take up different
vocations. To date, the Government have spent about Rs. 17 lakhs as
rehabilitation assistance. The Government’s rehabilitation
programme was further modified by establishing a Peace Camp at
Thenguching, where inmates are provided with boarding and lodging.
In the Peace Camp, the inmates are being given vocational training
and their potential assessed.
5. The Government also announced a “Home Coming Fortnight” in December
1982, during which the extremists were given an added incentive in the
form of 50% hike in surrender rewards for arms. My Government have also
decided to reserve 5% of vacancies in Class III and IV posts for
extremists who surrender and are found suitable for these jobs.
Honourable Members would thus appreciate the efforts which the
Government have been making to obtain the surrender of these misguided
elements and to rehabilitate them in right jobs, thereby enabling them
to join the mainstream of national life.
POLICE
6. In order to strengthen the manpower of the Police Department, the
strength of the Civil Police has been increased suitably. New Police
Stations are likely to be opened in the Sub-divisions of Imphal,
Bishenpur, Moirang and Thoubal. The Government have also appointed a
Superintendent of Police in the Fire Service to streamline the
functioning of the Fire Department.
JAIL
7. The Honourable Members may kindly recall that in my address to
this august House last year, I had mentioned the steps which the
Jail Department had taken to revitalise Jail Administration and make
it more effective to eliminate chances of a jail-break. Further
efforts are being made in this direction and due care is taken to
ensure that systems and procedures, as laid down in the Jail Manual,
are adhered to and also streamlined, wherever necessary.
Construction work is being taken up for Jails at Sajiwa,
Churachandpur and Ukhrul.
8. The improvement in the law & order situation has helped to
usher in a climate congenial to development activities. This has
also enabled my Government to concentrate on the formulation of
policies and implementation of programmes for the removal of poverty
and raising the living standards of the people, which is the
touchstone of our performance. Intending to throw focus on the
problems of each district, recently the Chief Minister and his
Council of Ministers visited all the District Headquarters, where
the performance of the local administration was assessed and the
progress of development programmes reviewed, on the spot, in a
series of Cabinet Meetings.
NEW 20-POINT PROGRAMME
9. With the launching of the Prime Minister’s New 20-Point
Programme, my Government have been making all efforts to achieve the
targets, which have been fixed for 1982-83. During the current year,
an amount of Rs. 23 crores was allocated for the programme. Under
this programme, it is expected that among other things, 13,000
additional hectares of land would be irrigated, 5,000 tonnes of
pulse and over 10 thousand tonnes of oil seeds would be grown;
15,600 families would be benefited under the Integrated Rural
Development Programme; 3,37,050 man-days would be generated under
the National Rural Employment Programme; drinking water would be
supplied to 200 villages; 155 villages would be electrified; 9,200
families would be covered under family welfare and planning scheme;
one rural hospital, 3 Primary Health Centres and 78 Primary Health
Sub-Centres would be established; 15,000 children in the age-group
6-14 would be enrolled in schools; 23,000 persons would be covered
under the Adult Literacy Programme. 54 fair price shops had been set
up in the hill areas and 1,000 Village & Small Scale Industries
would be established. The implementation of the programme is
reviewed periodically at the highest level in the State, with
monitoring agencies working at the district and block levels also.
Non-officials play a significant role on these Committees. It is
expected that with the culmination of the programme for 1982-83, the
State would have made a perceptible break-through in its fight
against poverty and backwardness.
10. Nearly 50 hectares of surplus land has been distributed among 93
landless labourers during the current year.
CRASH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME
11. As the Honourable Members are fully aware, the root cause of
social unrest in the State is unemployment of the educated, which is
a chronic problem in Manipur. Since no big industries are located in
the State, the Government alone is the main employer. As Government
jobs are limited, this alone cannot offer a solution to the problem.
My Government have been deliberating on this problem for long and
now, a Manipur Development Society has been set up which proposes to
take up an ambitious plan, wherein employment-oriented development
schemes in the field of minor irrigation, agriculture, horticulture,
fisheries, handloom and light engineering goods would be taken up.
These schemes are estimated to cost Rs. 16.78 crores. In 3 years’
time, they are expected to generate full employment to more than
20,000 educated unemployed persons and another 47 lakhs man-days
by way of construction works. Honourable Members will agree that this
plan, which has been drawn up in consultation with the Central
Government, will mitigate the problem to an appreciable extent. As a
further measure, to resolve the problem of unemployment , the
Government has extended an invitation to investors from outside the
State to engage in entrepreneurial activities in Manipur. My
Government would also welcome investors to participate in enquity
capital. It is our earnest hope, that with the commissioning of the
Loktak Project this year, power, which was the main handicap in
setting up major industries till now, would be adequately available
for the purpose.
PLAN
12. Our Plan for 1983-84 has been finalised with an approved outlay
of Rs. 52.80 crores as against an outlay of Rs. 48 crores for the
current year. In order to make the planning process more meaningful
and to ensure formulation of development programmes, in consonance
with the needs and potential of each district, the Government have
drawn up the development programmes for 1983-84 largely on the basis
of district plans. In particular, mention may be made about some of
the integrated planning programmes taken up at the district level,
namely, Integrated Rural Development Programme, the National Rural
Employment Programme, the District Industries Centres, the Special
component Plan and the Tribal Sub-Plan.
13. The main emphasis of the Plan in 1983-84 would be on the
development of infrastructure. The tertiary sector has also been
provided substantially higher allocations.
AGRICULTURE
14. Coming to the individual performance of different departments of
the Government in development activities in the current year, we
find that in the field of agriculture, despite some natural
calamities and incidence of pests and diseases in the kharif season
we have been able to attain a substantial percentage of our targeted
production.
15. The Agriculture Department has been achieving substantial
progress in its efforts to bring increasing area under high yielding
varieties of paddy and also under double cropping. It is encouraging
to note that our farmers have been using chemical fertilizers on a
wide scale, the rate of consumption of fertilizers in the State
being 33 kgs/hectares, which is the highest in the entire
North-Eastern Region.
16. The Manipur Plantation Crops Corporation has undertaken the
plantation of tea and coffee in a big way with a nursery already set
up at Jiribam. The Corporation has also started a Tea Project for
425 hectares at Jiribam. The coffee programme is also being
finalised in consultation with the Coffee Board.
HORTICULTURE AND SOIL CONSERVATION
17. Honourable Members would agree that our State has tremendous
potential for the development of horticulture. In order to exploit
this potential, it was imperative to draw up a perspective plan
covering all aspects. With this end in view, a scheme has been
formulated for conducting a horticultural census on 100% enumeration
basis whereby data would be collected relating to soil and climate
conditions, variety of fruits and quantity of production,
marketability etc. This scheme has been taken up under the auspices
of the North Eastern Council.
18. Considering the damage which ‘Jhuming’ has been doing to ecology
of the State, programmes are being drawn up to control it in a
scientific manner. The programme is being recast for implementation
on a sub-watershed basis. Efforts are also underway to take up soil
conservation measures in the upper reaches of the Loktak Lake in
order to check erosion in the catchment area of the Lake and also
to check siltation in the Lake.
COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
19. An irrigation potential for nearly 60,000 hectares is being
created in the State during the 6th Five Year Plan. For optimum
utilisation of the irrigation potential so created, an organisation
styled as “Command Area Development Authority’ has been set up
during the year, 1982 and it has started the contour survey for
construction of field channels etc.
IRRIGATION & FLOOD CONTROL
20. Irrigation being given first priority in the Prime Minister’s
New 20-Point Programme, harnessing the water wealth of the rivers
for irrigation and other development purposes, has been given the
highest priority by my Government. Investment on irrigation has
increased from a meagre amount of Rs. 1.40 crores in the Fourth Plan
to Rs. 40.00 crores in the Sixth Plan. One Major, two Multipurpose
and four Medium Irrigation projects are presently in progress,
which, when completed, will give an annual irrigation potential of
about 1 lakh hectares. Besides, the Singda, Thoubal and Khuga
projects will augment drinking water supply facilities by 19 MGD.
The Thoubal project will provide a power potential of 7.5 MW. Khuga
project will also generate power when completed with an installed
capacity of 1.5 MW. Annual irrigation potential to the extent of
43,000 hectares is expected to be achieved by the end of the Sixth
Plan, out of which 13,000 hectares have been achieved by the end of
1981-82 and additional potential targeted for 1982-83 is 13,000
hectares. Apart from the above on-going projects, a number of
Multipurpose and Irrigation Projects are under investigation.
21. The I.F.C. Department has also started taking up Major Flood
Control Projects. The first phase of Merakhong Flood Control
Projects is in progress which is the first of its kind in Manipur.
Flood control Projects of Wangjing river, Arong river, Thoubal
river, Turel Ahanbi, etc. are also being taken up. The Sixth Plan
allotment for Flood control is Rs. 5.50 crores. The additional area
proposed to be protected during the Sixth Plan is 5,000 hectares.
MINOR IRRIGATION
22. The Minor Irrigation Department was set up in 1981. During
1981-82, an amount of Rs. 150 lakhs was spent to bring an additional
area of 3,000 hectares under the command of Minor Irrigation. The
programme achieves greater significance now, as it forms an
important part of the New 20-Point Programme. In the current year,
1,248 hectares have been brought under irrigation till December
1982. It is expected that the target of 2,000 hectares for the
current year will be achieved.
VETERINARY AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
23. With a view to provide adequate animal health coverage in the
State by opening new Veterinary Dispensaries, a total number of four
dispensaries were opened in the current year. Control of epidemic
diseases prevalent in the State was also done by mass vaccination
and treatment. Measures were also taken up for control of
‘Rabies’ by vaccinating dogs. The Intensive Cattle Development
Project has been expanded with the opening of 2 new Sub-centres. One
frozen Semen Laboratory has also been set up.
24. The Government have also attempted to increase the production of
milk by carrying out a proper survey of milk pocket areas in the
State and setting up Dairy Co-operative Societies. Milch animals and
dairy equipment are supplied to the societies on 50% subsidy basis.
40 milch animals were purchased and distributed to selected bidders
last year. In addition to the above, 4 Rural Dairy Centres are being
opened in the current year.
CO-OPERATION
25. Acknowledging the fact that agriculture provides subsistence to
90% of the population, the Government have taken measures to
establish Agro-Service Centres with assistance from the National
Co-operative Development Corporation. Moreover, the set-up of the
Agricultural Credit Co-operative was re-organised in both the valley
and the hills. In order to make the people in the rural areas get
the essential commodities at reasonable rates, mobile fair price
shops have been opened by the Manipur State Wholesale Co-operative
Society in collaboration with the Manipur Associated Registrar
Rationing Agents Association. With a view to extend the facilities
of the Co-operative training to all the Societies both in urban and
rural areas the Junior Training Institute of the Co-operative
Department has been transferred to the Manipur State Co-operative
Union. Apart from the regular training in the headquarters,
facilities of mobile training are given to all the Societies.
FISHERIES
26. Honourable Members would be aware of the great demand of fish
around the ‘Ningol Chakouba’ Festival. In order to take care of
this demand, the Fisheries Department organised a Fair/Fish Crop
Competition at Bir Tekendrajit Park on 16th November 1982, on the
eve of the festival. More than 5,000 kg of table fish were marketed
on the occasion. The Department has also started operating a fish
stall in order to make table fish available to the consumers at
Government approved rates. In the year, 1982-83, the Department had
targeted to produce 8.5 million fish fingerlings. This target has
already been achieved and it is expected that an additional 2
million fingerlings will be produced during the remaining part of
the year. The Department also expects to attain the target of 4,000
tonnes of table fish for the current year.
FOREST
27. The Forest Department have been taking up various forests
development schemes which would enable intensive utilisation of
forestlands, wastelands and marginal lands and generate maximum
employment potential in the rural areas. The Department has taken up
22 development Plan schemes under the forestry sector with an outlay
of Rs. 85 lakhs. Under soil conservation in forestry areas, the
Department implemented 3 schemes with an outlay of Rs. 30 lakhs.
28. The Government have been laying maximum emphasis on social
forestry schemes as it serves the purpose of meeting the basic
economic needs of the people. Under these schemes, various fast
growing tree species, suitable for use as fuel wood and fruit
bearing have been planted on waste lands and unclassed forests near
villages. This obviates the need for long distance transportation.
29. The scheme of rubber plantation has also been progressing well.
30. In an attempt to implement the New 20-Point Programme, the
Forest Department have planted 69.30 lakhs tree seedling during the
current year against the target of 66.2 lakhs seedlings under forest
plantation schemes. Therefore, the target has been exceeded
substantially.
31. As a measure of conservation/preservation of rare forest
species, wild life and flora and fauna of the State a new wild life
wing within the Forest Department has been established and the
Shiroy Hill in the Manipur East District is being declared as a
National Park.
ROADS & BUILDING
32. Road transport, being the only means of communication within the
State, stress is being laid on its development. During the current
year, all Sub-divisional headquarters have been connected by
motorable roads and 76 kms of new road will be constructed, bringing
the total road kilometerage in the State to 3,462 kms. it is
expected that about 1,164 villages in the State will be connected by
the end of next year under the Minimum Needs Programme.
33. This year construction of Two-Storied Ministers Flats and
Three-Storied MLAs Flats has been completed. A new “Manipur Bhawan”
has also been inaugurated in New Delhi. In addition, it is expected
that by the end of the year, a few important office, residential and
other buildings in Imphal and elsewhere will be completed.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
34. In addition to the Community Development Programme which is
being implemented by the development blocks, the Government have
been attempting to alleviate rural poverty and provide gainful
employment through the Integrated Rural Development Programme, which
is a Centrally Sponsored Programme, extending over all the blocks of
the State. In the current year, it is expected that 15,600 families
will be benefited under IRDP schemes, which contemplate formulation
of family-based programmes for families living below the poverty
line.
35. Another important rural programme is the National Rural
Employment Programme which has the dual objective of creation of
durable community assets and enlargement of employment opportunities
in villages. Thus, while on the one hand, it offers job
opportunities to the rural poor; on the other, it develops and
strengthens the rural infrastructure.
36. The Applied Nutrition Programme which imparts nutrition
education to the vulnerable sections of the rural community though
production, consumption and training now extends over 23 blocks of
the State. The Rural Training Institute for women has conducted
training courses for various crafts like Tailoring & Cutting,
Embroidery and Knitting , in addition to the course for Gram Sevikas.
TRIBAL WELFARE
37. Several programmes were initiated by the Government to promote
the educational, social and economic standards of the Tribals and
Backward Classes in the State. During the current year, a sum of Rs.
60 lakhs was spent for the implementation of development programmes
which comprised medical, educational and other schemes. In addition,
an amount of Rs. 169 lakhs was earmarked for the implementation of
schemes under the Special Central Assistance Programme.
POWER
38. I had informed this august House last year about the power which
our State was obtaining from the Assam system. The transmission
system, which has been drawn up in the State for power from Assam,
is also linked with the Loktak Project. This system is now
commissioned; as a result 12 MW of power is being drawn from the
Assam system for supply to Imphal and surrounding areas. Our hopes
are now set on the Loktak Project, which is expected to be
commissioned shortly. The development of sub-transmission system in
the State is most essential in order to utilise power available from
the Loktak Project. A few schemes, which entail construction of 33
KV sub-stations have been framed 6 of the proposed 11 sub-stations
have been commissioned and the remaining are under construction.
With the availability of power from the Loktak Project and extension
of the transmission and distribution systems, our State would be
able to set up some industrial complexes. Honourable Members would
be aware of the great emphasis we have been laying on Rural
Electrification. It also forms an integral part of the Prime
Minister’s 20-Point Programme. Despite paucity of funds and
shortage of power, we have been able to electrify about 200
villages. Rural Electrification also includes energisation of pumps.
Pumps are energised for providing water, for either irrigation or
drinking purposes. Six such pumps will be energised by the end of
this financial year.
INDUSTRIES
39. For the first time, the Government have taken a positive step
towards setting up of an electronic industry in the State. Efforts
are afoot to tap the potential of development in the field of
electronics, which is suited to the area. The Manipur Electronics
Industry has been established at Takyelpat. Under the scheme, in the
current year, a project for assembly of 2-Band Radio Receivers in
collaboration with KELTRON has been taken up through MSIC. A project
sponsored by NEC has also been taken up to produce certain
electronic goods.
40. In my address last year, I had mentioned about the Mini Cement
Plant, which was being set up in the East District. The civil
construction work of this Plant is being started this month. Work is
also progressing on the Sugar Factory and Distillery Plant & the
Starch & Glucose Factory.
41. For the promotion of the handloom industry, the Manipur Handloom
& Handicrafts Development Corporation is restructuring its
extension centres and working to switch over 1,000 weavers to the
production exportable items. In order to boost up the production and
marketing of handloom fabrics, the Department has offered several
incentives.
42. In addition to the Industrial Estate at Takyelpat, another
Industrial Estate is being set up at Jiribam this year.
SERICULTURE
43. The Oak Tasar Sector which received a setback in previous years
by repeated failures of crops, recovered to some extent. The spring
crop recorded a production, which was double of last year. The
autumn crop was, however, not up to our expectations; reasons for
this are being examined by an expert committee. The Handloom Sector
for silk continued to be active in the sphere of spinning and
reeling. About 30,000 Kgs. of raw silk was produced by the silk
weavers this year.
PUBLIC HEALTH ENGINEERING
44. The Government have been giving due attention to the problem of
water supply and sanitation for the urban as well as rural sectors.
In respect of water supply, we expect to cover 2/3 of the problem
villages by the end of the Sixth Plan. For the exploration of ground
water resources, UNICEF has given us a drilling rig. So far, about
80 boreholes have been drilled and in some of them artesian
conditions are available, producing water to the extent of 4,000
gallons per hour. The Government have been laying stress on the
completion of water supply schemes especially in the District,
Sub-Divisional and Circle Headquarters. As regards sanitation, a
Master Plan is being prepared, which includes drainage system for
Imphal Town.
MEDICAL
45. During the current year, the Medical Department have opened 15
new Primary Health Sub-centres and another 78 Sub-Centres, 3 Primary
Health Centres and one rural hospital have been sanctioned. The
Honourable Members will be pleased to know that the population
coverage of a Primary Health Centre has come down from one lakh in
the valley and 30,000 in the hills (in 1979-80) to 63,000 and 23,000
respectively.
46. Several measures have been taken for the control of communicable
diseases like T.B. and Leprosy. A District T.B. Control Centre was
opened at Senapati. For the improvement of epidemiological
surveillance and control of communicable diseases, the State
Epidemiological Unit has started functioning at Imphal.
FAMILY WELFARE
47. For the promotion of Family Welfare Programme 1,567
sterilisation operations were performed. 1,517 Community Health
Guides and 114 traditional Dais have been trained. Mass-media
publicity was taken up to motivate the people to adopt family
welfare measures.
EDUCATION
48. Honourable Members would recall that I had informed them in my
address last year that the State Institute of Education had prepared
and produced textbooks for Class I-III and IV during 1981. The
Institute had also prepared and produced textbooks for Class II, IV
& VII for use in the Schools in 1982-83. Textbooks for Class V
and VIII have also been prepared and produced for use in 1983-84.
Summer-cum-Correspondence Contact Courses were run by SIE at Imphal,
as a Sub-Centre of the Regional College of Education, Bhubaneshwar,
for imparting training to about 120 post-graduate and graduate
teachers of secondary schools every year. I am happy to inform the
Honourable Members that the Manipur University, which was
established in 1980, has now been admitted under Section 12-A of the
U.G.C. Act. The Government have made a grant of Rs. 40 lakhs to the
University for Construction of various buildings in the current
year, till now. The Education Department has initiated several
measures for universalisation of elementary education for children,
in the age group 6 -14, with special emphasis on girls, under the
20-Point Programme. A School Readiness Programme (Early Childhood
Programme) has also been implemented to cover 34,000 children below
the age of 6 years. Under this programme, 500 centres would be kept
as adjuncts to the existing primary schools. One additional centre
for B.Ed. (Elementary) training is being opened, in order to clear
the backlog of untrained teachers at the elementary stage.
SOCIAL WELFARE
49. The Integrated Child Development Services have been extended in
the State with the opening of two new projects at Thoubal and
Nungba. With this, the number of projects in the State has risen to
7.
ARTS AND CULTURE
50. Several measures were taken up by the Government for promoting
the standards of arts and culture in the State. During the current
year, a sum of Rs. 14.53 lakhs was sanctioned under Non-Plan to the
Manipur State Kala Academi as grant- in-aid for the implementation
of several projects and programmes relating to preservation and
promotion of Arts and Culture. In addition, the Government opened an
Archives Department under the Directorate of Social Welfare, Arts
and Culture. A State cultural troupe consisting of 100 Rash dancers
and 100 Poong players was also sent for participation in the opening
ceremony of the Asian Games 1982 at New Delhi. Besides, financial
assistance was given to many scholars and cultural troupes for
Inter-State-Cultural Exchanges.
LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT
51. Elections to three Municipal Boards and ten Small Town
Committees have been held this year. In addition, elections to
another two Municipal Boards and nine Small Town Committees will
also be held.
52. The Khwai Bazar, in Imphal, which has unique characteristics, is
to be improved under a Plan scheme. Some houses, a Super Market and
shopping-cum-residential buildings will be constructed with the
assistance of the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO).
Financial assistance is also being provided to economically weaker
sections in the form of loans.
LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
53. In view of the New 20-Point Programme, the Manipur Minimum Wages
Advisory Board met this year and gave its recommendations to the
Government regarding revision of minimum rate of wages for
agricultural labourers and industrial workers. The recommendations
have been accepted by my Government and the minimum wages has been
increased from Rs. 8/- to Rs. 10/- per day per head.
54. In an effort to promote employment opportunities one Coaching
–cum-guidance Centre at Imphal and two Vocational guidance Units
at District Employment Exchanges , Ukhrul and Churachandpur are
being set up for the benefit of SC/ST candidates.
55. Recruitment rallies were held in different parts of the State by
the Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF &CISF, which provided a rare
opportunity to the people of the State to get enrolled in these
organisations. Most of the rallies evoked encouraging response from
the people. Nearly 1030 persons were recruited during these rallies.
More such rallies are expected to be organised in near future.
FOOD & CIVIL SUPPLIES
56. The FCS Department has been extending its network to the remote
areas of the State to ensure distribution of essential supplies to
the people. The public distribution system was strengthened by
opening more fair price shops and appointment of rationing agents in
the valley as well as in the hills. In order to meet the situation
of food scarcity in the hills my Government is opening more fair
price shops in the hill areas. The Hon’ble Members would be glad
to note that the number of fair price shops/rationing agents in the
valley is higher than the All India pattern for shops per unit of
population. In order to raise the number in the hill areas, the
Department targeted to establish 50 shops during the current year.
To date, 54 shops have been set up or rationing agents appointed,
thus exceeding the target as fixed.
57. During the year, the Department has distributed 20,767 metric
tonnes of rice to the public. In addition substantial quantities of
sugar, GCI sheets , RBD palm oil, refined rape seed oil, cement etc.
have also been procured and distributed through Government nominated
stockists/dealers.
INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS
58. In a democratic set-up, it was very important to disseminate
information relating to the activities to the Government to the
people regularly. The Department of Information and Public Relations
endeavoured to perform this task by organising conducted tours for
the press and arranging “Meet the Press” programmes. In order to
enable the general public, particularly, the youth, to view the
Asian Games on TV, four sets were installed at different points in
Imphal. These TV sets attracted considerable audiences for the
duration of the Asiad.
59. We are, in fact, grateful to the Union Ministry of Information
& Broadcasting for selecting Imphal as a centre for locating one
of its Low Power TV transmitters. Consequently, people within a
radius of 10-12 Kms. of the TV station could receive programmes on
their sets-a scheme which coincided with IX Asian Games.
TOURISM
60. The accommodation problem faced by tourists in the State will be
eased to some extent, as the II phase of the Imphal Tourist Lodge is
nearing completion and the Central Department of Tourism is to start
construction of a Youth Hostel shortly. Work has also been initiated
to set up Tourist Homes at Churachandpur and Ukhrul.
GAMES & SPORTS
61. My Government made endeavours for the promotion of sports and
games in the State and ensuring maximum involvement of youths and
students in sports activities. Sports competition of various levels
were organised at 20 different centres in the State involving about
14,500 students including 500 girls. Contingents were sent to
different parts of India for participation in several competitions
at the national level like the National School Games, National
Women’s Sports Festivals and All India Rural Sports Meet during
the current year. Boys and girls won laurels in different events.
62. Manipur won the National School Championship held on October
1982 at Akaluz, Maharastra. The Manipur football team also won the
National Championship for women. Our attempts at catching the
talented young ones also proved successful at the Mini National
School Games held at Obra, UP in December 1982. Manipur won the
Championship in Hockey, Football, Table Tennis, Kabadi and Kho-Kho
in the Mini National Meet.
63. The construction of 5 Mini Stadia at different District
Headquarters is in progress and one indoor stadium at Imphal and one
Community Hall-cum-indoor stadium at Ukhrul will be constructed
during this year. One swimming pool has already been constructed at
Jiribam. The construction of sports complex at Khuman Lampak is well
in progress. Financial assistance was extended to State Level Sports
Association to enable them to send observers to the Asiad 82 at New
Delhi.
REVENUE
64. The Government have taken up the task of survey of land in the
Hill Districts, in a phased manner, after due extension of the MLR
& LR Act & Rules in the Hill Districts. Meanwhile, survey
work has been taken up, wherever the village Chiefs/Khullakpas have
not raise objections.
EXCISE
65. In order to earn more revenue, the Excise Department has opened
31 liquor shops including one Bonded Ware House during the current
year. The income of the Excise Department for the current year, up
to December 1982, is Rs. 40 lakhs and it is expected that it would
cross Rs. 50 lakhs by the end of the year, against a sum of Rs.
36,07,175.74 during last year. The Government have taken steps to
increase revenue of the department by introducing a scheme for
distillation and sale of country liquor under proper licensing
system, as is done in the case of Indian made foreign liquor.
FINANCE
66. I would now like to briefly touch upon the general financial
position of the State. Honourable Members are aware that the Central
Government had magnanimously converted the outstanding overdraft of
Rs. 66.29 crores against the State Government as on 30th June 1982,
into a medium term loan. My Government have since then been managing
its finances prudently and exercising maximum economy of
expenditure, consistent with the objectives of planned development
and administrative efficiency. The main thrust of this effort is at
minimising Non-Plan expenditure. Creation of posts on the Non-plan
side has been kept in abeyance and measures have been taken to
ensure that Government departments do not place indents with the DGS
& D without obtaining clearance from the Finance Department.
Moreover, purchases of vehicles and office equipment are being
permitted only in extremely rare cases.
67. A severe strain on the cash out flow is caused due to liability
on account of payment of DA & ADA. The Government have,
therefore, made out a case to the Finance Commission, for making
provision enabling the State to meet this burden.
68. Various steps have been taken to minimise the handling of cash
in Government Offices and institutions, which include the
disbursement of salaries through banks for officers in Imphal.
69. An Institutional Finance Cell has been set up within the Finance
Department, which will act as an agency to liaise between the banks
and the State Government or public sector undertakings. The Manipur
Rural Bank has opened 3 more branches.
70. The Manipur Services Revision of Pay Rules, 1982 was issued in
December 1982. These will take effect from 31.3.82. The revision
would cover 44,000 State Government employees and entail an annual
expenditure of about Rs. 2.50 crores. The revision has raised the
minimum of pay from Rs.190/- to Rs. 390/- and the maximum from Rs.
2,100/- to Rs. 2,750/-.
71. Honourable Members, I have attempted to place before you the
policies, programmes and achievements of my Government in the
current year. As you would have observed, our main objectives have
been to consolidate our position in respect of peaceful conditions,
which prevail in the State, and to accelerate the pace of
development activities. We will be able to succeed in our
endeavours, if we have the whole-hearted co-operation of the
Hon’ble Members and the people.
72. I extend my best wishes to you in your deliberations.
JAI HIND
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