Day: July 25, 2017

House passes four demands for grants

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 25

The Manipur Legislative Assembly today unanimously passed four more demands for grants for the year 2017-18 amounting to Rs. 1271,13,79,000 during the fifth day session.

The demands medical, health and family welfare Rs. 605,80,68,000, labour and employment Rs. 54,20,91,000, department of tribal affairs and hills development and animal husbandry and veterinary including dairy farming  Rs. 106,63,85,000.

Deputy chief minister Y. Jokumar Singh, who is also finance in-charge, moved the four demands for grants for discussion and voting.

Although motion for policy cut was moved by the Opposition bench, the demands were unanimously passed by the House after the Opposition withdrew the cut motions.

Opposition MLAs who participated in the discussion include Kh. Joykishan Singh, Lokeshwar Singh, N. Loken, K. Meghachandra, K. Ranjit, Surjakumar Okram, D. Korungthang, DD Thaisii, Md Fajur Rahim, Alfred Kanngam Arthur, Yamthong Haokip, AK Mirabai, Henry Okram.

Responding to queries raised by the Opposition bench, health minister L. Jayentakumar, said the department is taking all the measures to control epidemic in wake of the recent flood.

He maintained that there is no report of any death so far due to dengue which is gripping Churachandpur district and certain parts of Imphal urban centre.

The total number of persons affected by Dengue is 51 including 34 male and 17 female and the number of villages are 16.

With regards to the reports of death by Scrub Typhus and H1N1 influenza (swine flu), he said that the cases are yet to be officially confirmed and under investigation.

Spelling out the preparedness of the department, the minister informed the House that a rapid action team of doctors has been constituted to detect and confirm any suspected cases of contagious diseases.

He further revealed that any patient found positive with any of the diseases mentioned will be vacated at RIMS and JNIMS where they will be closely monitored by the department.

Highlighting long term measures, Jayentakumar informed that the department is mulling over free drug policy in addition to various welfare schemes taken up like free testing facilities.

In his clarification regarding lack of staff quarters, Jayentakumar revealed that a proposal of Rs. 200 crore have been submitted to the planning department adding that expressed his optimism.

In his reply labour and employment minister, Th. Radhesyam said that a total of 60,000 labour cards have been issued by the department and that the card holders can claim many welfare schemes.

Any labourer can apply the card from the department for Rs. 170 by producing a certificate from a register contractor to identify oneself as labour or either Adhaar, or voter card, he informed.

1. Kayisii, minister of tribal affairs and hills development, said that the welfare of tribal people of Manipur is assured through formation and implementation of various policies at the level of government of India and state government.

The department is working for the critical area for the protection of the rights of ST people, forest rights, right to land, prevention of atrocities etc. Moreover, he said that socio-economic schemes are also taken up under the assistance of Centre.

Since the fund available under Central assistance is not adequate the department has been approaching the NEC, DoNER etc for more fund, he said.

He further said for education promotion for the ST the department has been awarding scholarship to ST students besides Manipur Commission for ST has been established to look after the welfare of the ST people. To preserve the right, culture, tradition etc Tribal Research Insitute (TRI) has been upgraded to directorate level, he continued.

Kayisii further pointing out that the state and Centre have been reviving various policies to improve and assured their welfare.

In connection with queries on possibilities for separate budget for Autonomous District Council, the tribal affairs minister said the matter can only be decided by the Cabinet. Nevertheless, Kayisii said that he would put the matter before the chief minister.

He further pointed out that there is a lapse of Rs. 174 lakhs for the year 2016-17 during the previous government and the amount is yet to be released by the finance department.

The minister further revealed that the finance department has allocated Rs. 504 crores for TD department for the year 2017-18 out of which 340 crores is for salary, allowances and scholarship payment. A sum of 68 crores will directly go to district council and the remaining 74 croes to tribal affairs, he said.

Veterinary and animal husbandry minister, V. Hangkhalian said as per 2012 livestock census pony population is 1101 and pony has been declared as endangered species.

He said that for conservation of Manipuri ponies the government has established Manipur pony conservation and development policy on November 29, 2016.

Moreover, he informed that the government had also submitted DPR for Rs. 39 crores for conservation of pony in the natural habitat for opening a sanctuary at Marjing, Heingang.

The minister further said that the animal science division of Central Agriculture University, Eroisemba in association with National Bureau and Genetic Resources has taken characterization programme of Manipur pony for selection of Manipuri pony pure breed.

Further proceeding with the agenda of the day, three bills were also introduced.

The first bill was introduced by finance minister Y. Joykumar, namely “the Manipur Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

Education minister, Th. Radheshyam introduced two bills – The Manipur Private School (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2017 and the Manipur Coaching Institute (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2017.

Ningthoujam Prasant & Elangbam Nikita

IMPHAL| July 25

Bir Tikendrajit Park is one of the historically important places of Manipur constructed in memory of Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General, who were hanged by the British in an open place before the general public on August 13, 1891.

The British knew that nationalist like Tikendrajit and Thangal General were obstacles in their colonial strategies. In their absence, the British knew that alteration of Manipur into their colony was inevitable and therefore they hanged them.

Manipur observes this day, August 13, as Patriot’s Day to remember their role in the freedom struggle. Today the park is attracting many people including health conscious persons, school-going students and much more.

“BT Park has been a place of us for quite a long time to go for evening walk and meet my friends”, said a daily-comer in his geezerhood.

For long, it has been an area for elders to have their evening walk and group conversation. A student who was loosening up in the park while having an ice-cream said, “This park is a retreat from the scorching afternoon sun. It is a place to relax for some time before I go home.”

“The park is giving us an opportunity to value our own memorable place and in the meantime, withdraw from daily grind. Nowadays, houses in and around Imphal lack sufficient space for kids to play and for us to stretch legs.” said one of the visitors.

In addition, the park which is maintained by the government fills in as a place for individuals to unwind, particularly those who frequently go to the market.

Furthermore, a couple of unemployed women can be seen inside the park, selling tea and snacks.

BT park has been, in addition, proceeding to be a decent place for elders for their daily-walk schedules, school students to ease up in the open space after their tiring classes, families to invest quality time and incidentally for couples as well. The open space behind the Shaheed Minar also attracts more individuals.

“The park is currently losing its shine due to some bad habits of visitors. Waste materials like papers, plastics wraps and containers, leftovers and so on are seen scattered. The eastern side of the park close to recently constructed Ima-market is loaded with empty bottles and leftovers. The visitors fail to keep the park clean,” said another visitor.

With less than a month left for the commemoration of Patriots’ Day on August 13, it is seen that works are being taken up to clean the park to get ready to salute the two brave sons of Manipur, Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General.