House passes seven demands amounting to Rs. 701,38,71,000

IMPHAL, July 7: The Manipur Legislative Assembly today unanimously passed seven demands amounting to a total of Rs 701,38,71,000.

The demands which were tabled for discussion by the leader of the House, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh are Demand no 11- Medical, Health and Family Welfare amounting to Rs 4,94,39,36,000; Demand no 12 – Municipal Administration Housing and Urban Development Rs 93,92,66,000; Demand no 16 – Co-operation Rs 21,48,70,000; Demand no 26 – Administration of Justice Rs 54,12,01,000; Demand no 35 – Stationary and Printing Rs 5,36,78,000; Demand no 46 – Science and Technology Rs 3,99,01,000 and Demand no 50 Information Technology Rs 28,10,19,000.

Opposition MLAs Th Shyamkumar, Dr I Ibohalbi, L Ibomcha and K Shyam took active part in the discussion and voting of the demands and moved cut motions.

During discussion on Demand no 12 Municipal Administration Housing and Urban Development, Dr Ibohalbi raised a cut motion on the `Failure to provide adequate space in appropriate place for vegetable vendor of rural areas by IMC.

He asked when the government will start construction of the proposed market shed at the former Tombisana High School campus.

He further said the government should arrange a temporary market shed until the construction of the proposed market shed is completed.

He also opined that the drainage system of the MLA quarters is a total failure.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh who is also in charge of the MAHUD clarified that funding for the construction of the market shed at the old Tombisana High School for the street vendors have been ceased due to some disturbances.

In the aftermath of the recovery of the human skeleton during digging at the construction site, civil organisations had restricted undertaking of further earth work until a CBI investigation is launched, however, the CBI has denied any such request of the State, Ibobi informed the House.

At the same time, another association has filed a case with the High Court regarding land allotment of the former school campus, he continued.

He said soon after the High Court`™s summer break, the case would be settled and the work could resume.

Ibobi also observed that if there were no interferences, the work would have been completed by atleast 80 percent as the government was targeting to inaugurate the market shed by December of this year.

As for the drainage system of the MLA quarter and MLA guest house in Babupara and Major Khul will be looked into at the earliest.

In another reply to a cut motion moved by K Shyam during discussion of Demand no 50 Information Technology regarding the status of various IT programmes undertaken in the State, the Chief Minister said since 2009-10 his government has given e-governance training to staff and officials of 37 offices.

In 2011-12, about 1030 employees of the government were given training, while in 2014-15, another 3333 staff were given training, he added.

He further observed that in the country, Manipur stands in 13th position in IT sector and second among the NE States.

Recently 400 DDOs were given training on e-payment systems in departments, he said.

Replying to a cut motion in connection to Demand no 12 – Municipal Administration Housing and Urban Development, the Chief Minister said regarding failure of resource mobilization, the government has constituted a proper tax board and the appointment of a chairman is under process which will be completed soon.

He continued construction of the Kwakeithel Bazar is a top priority of the government and the PDA has already handed it over to HADCO.

The Chief Minister also said that the government has approved to install State Bank of India branches, toilet/ washrooms, canteen and a first aid facility centre at the first floors of the three Ima Markets.

As for the monitoring of town planning, the interview of research and assistant research officers has been fixed for July 26, he said.

Following clarifications from the concerned ministers, the Opposition MLAs withdrew their cut motions and the demands were passed.