IMPHAL, Mar 8: Asserting that Manipur lies at the strategic border area of India and there is a situation of political conflict in the state, the opposition leaders Radhabinod Koijam and Okram Joy have called for the President’s address to be made at the ongoing 10th session of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly during her two-day visit to the state.
The opposition leaders have expressed this today while responding to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi’s request for postponement of the sitting of the House for the day in connection with the visit of President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.
Senior Opposition leader O Joy stated that the President of India who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces should be requested to address the House on political situation of the state.
The leader of opposition Radhabinod Koijam further contended that the people of Manipur would feel proud to be part of the Indian Union if the President addresses the House on myriad issues of the state including the issue of Armed Forces Special Power Act and the decade long struggle of Irom Chanu Sharmila.
However, the Chief Minister stated that the programme of President’s visit has been fixed by the President’s Office and the state government has no right to amend the programme. He said that the state government would request the President to address the House if possible.
Speaker I Hemochandra also asserted that the President of India Pratibha Patil would be requested to address the House in view of the sentiments of the members of the House.During the question and hour session, MLA of Andro assembly constituency Th Shyamkumar raised a query regarding the date of completion Andro Police Station.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi answered that the construction of Andro Police Station would be completed by April 30, 2011. Almost all construction works of the police station are over except for type-III quarters and perimeter fencing, he noted.Ibobi also stated that the said police station will begin to function by the end of this year.
Answering to a query raised by MLA Morung Makunga regarding the works of Manipur Develoment Society, Chief Minister stated that the MDS has taken up schemes in handloom, minor irrigation, engineering works and agriculture sectors. So far the MDS has constructed irrigation tanks, construction of ponds for rain water harvesting, community halls, pay and use toilets and market sheds in different districts of the state.
The sitting of the Assembly session for the day got shortened owing to the visit of the President of India.
Interestingly, official of all departments attended today’s sitting of the Assembly session after the Speaker directed the chief secretary to give explanation on officers’ absence from the ongoing assembly session.
The discussion on Governor’s address scheduled today has also been postponed tomorrow. O Joy and RK Anand will raise calling attention motion tomorrow on the issue of selection of primary teachers, Hindi primary teachers and Hindi graduate teachers.
