Biren moots building by-laws

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 3

Chief minister N. Biren Singh today assured the House to immediately introduce new bye-laws for building construction in the state over the existing bye-laws under the MAHUD department.

The chief minister, who is also holding the portfolio of relief and disaster management, was responding to queries raised by Opposition during budget discussion.

Biren maintained that the relief and disaster management left no stone unturned and is actively involved in relief and rescue operations in the recent flood despite the fact that it has no adequate man-power.

The department has only 37 specially trained personnel, who are expert in flood fighting and rescue operations.

The personnel mainly comprise of different state forces, impart training to police, CVO and NGO volunteers and scouts etc., and mock drills are conducted regularly, said the chief minister.

Despite the challenges, he said the department had opened a 24X7 helpline to attend to complaints of the general public and co-ordinate with various departments regarding relief and rescue works.

While four MCS officers were entrusted to supervise the co-ordination works, 97 relief camps were immediately opened at different localities of flood affected areas, he asserted.

With regards to distribution of relief and assistance, he said it was normally done through the DCs, SDOs who are responsible for preparation of district level assessment for the lost incurred during the time of flood and natural calamities.

The chief minister also cautioned bureaucrats and officials to give utmost respect to the elected representatives by co-operating with the leaders in times of any calamities.

Pointing out that compensation to be distributed to earthquake victims for the year 2015 is pending with the finance department. He assured the House that a sum of Rs. 14 cores would soon be released for the purpose within couple of days. 

Biren further assured the House to explore avenues to compensate flood affected victim without any more delays.

The House passed four demands amounting to Rs. 975,16,40,00 including stationery and printing Rs. 5,77,26,000, relief and disaster management Rs. 50,75,48,000, economics and statistics Rs. 17,32,45,000 and information technology Rs. 23,66,45,000.

Of the four demands cut motion was raised by the Opposition bench only on relief and disaster management.

The cut motion was raised by Opposition MLAs K. Ranjit Singh, Md. Abdul Nasir, Md. Fajur Rahim and Kh Joykisan Singh.