Biren assures to explore feasibility of AFSPA removal

IMPHAL | Aug 2

Chief minister, N. Biren assured in the House today during Zero hour that the government will examine the feasibilities of removing AFSPA from the state. He was answering to a query raised by the Opposition MLA, K. Ranjit.

The House on the 12th day of the ongoing session of the Manipur legislative Assembly unanimously passed four Demands for Grant amounting to Rs. 7,670,878,000 after thorough discussion and voting.

The demand passed today were Demand no.17 – Agriculture (Rs.215,96,89,000), Demand no. 26 – Administration of Justice (Rs.98,78,06,000), Demand no.30 – Planning (Rs.426,93,08,000) and Demand no.39 – Sericulture (Rs.25,40,75,000) respectively. 

Replying to a motion for disapproval of policy cut raised by the Opposition, agricuture minister, V. Hangkhanlian clarified that the agricultural land is still protected by the Manipur Conservation of Paddy land and Wetland Act, 2014.

He said in order to protect the agricultural land coordination between revenue department and agriculture department is a must. On the inability of the government to ensure availability of paddy seeds and saplings to flood affected farmers, the agriculture minister further clarified that the government has already taken up steps to distribute high yielding varieties of paddy seeds to the recent flood affected farmers.

Further Hangkhanlian assured the house that an alternative measure will be taken up if the inundated areas of the recent flood do not recede by August. He also assured to adopt a separate policy of the agricultural land of the hill areas at the earliest.

The motion was raised by MLA Khundrakpam A/C, Th. Lokeshwar Singh, MLA Wangkhem A/C, K. Meghachandra Singh, MLA Sugnu A/C, K. Ranjit Singh, MLA Tipaimukh A/C, Chaltonlien Amo and MLA Khangabok A/C, Surjakumar Okram on Demand no.17-Agriculture.

The minister further said that the Rice Research Station at Wangbal will be looked into for improvement of infrastructure and staff strength, adding that the government is considering implementing a suitable policy to start double cropping method.

To a query raised by MLA Khangabok A/C Surjakumar Okram, chief minister, N. Biren Singh assured the house that cold storage project will be taken up to check wastage of agricultural products.

During the demand discussion on Demand No. 39 Sericulture, the CM said that small schemes and projects have been implemented to developed sericulture in the state.

The Chief Minister clarified that the constitutional obligation will be looked into especially for equal developments of hills and the valley to a query raised by MLA Ukhrul A/C Alfred Kanngam Arthur.

While discussing on Demand no. 26 – Administration of Justice, Law & Legislative Affairs minister L. Jayantakumar Singh clarified that at present there are altogether 12 vacant judicial post and all the courts in the state are computerised except for the newly established four courts in Thoubal, Bishnupur, Imphal East amd Impphal West districts to a policy cut raised by MLA Sugnu A/C K. Ranjit Singh.