IMPHAL, March 16: The state Assembly today passed the Manipur Appropriation (No.1) Bill, 2011 incorporating an amount of Rs.838,11,05,000 crores after a brief discussion participated by the state Chief Minister and members from opposition bench.Initially, the leader of the house Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh has formally moved the said bill in the house today for consideration before passing the said bill.
In the meantime senior opposition member O Joy Singh while participating in the consideration and passing of the Manipur Appropriation (No.1) Bill, 2011 mentioned in the house that, since the state budgetary provision for the state has been increased there is serious need of maintaining budgetary discipline and also the need to pay emphasis on the policy of proper resource mobilization in order to achieve the state’s own revenue.
Concerning over the failure of the state to implement the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, O Joy further mentioned in the house that, so far 14 recommendations have been made by the Public Accounts Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly since 1999 to 2008 but none of the recommendation of PAC has not been implemented by the government, such negligence and failure to consider the recommendation of the house has tarnish the dignity and value of the existence of the house.
He further drew the attention of the state government to the prolonged imposition of ban on recruitment of government jobs in the state since 1999 after signing an MoU between the then Chief Minister of Manipur and then Union Finance minister, which has resulted in difficulties and inconveniences for the educated unemployed youth whose age have already crossed the service age, and that the state government need to consider alternative policies for these age group who are qualified and educated for obtaining government Jobs. On the other hand he also drew the attention of the Chief Minister for the proper functioning of Manipur Public Service Commission, which has been lying defunct since last many months without a Chairman.
Taking note on the comments raise in the house by the senior opposition MLA, O Joy Singh, the Chief Minister clarified that, specific official instructions have been given to the state chief secretary from the state ministerial level for the implementation of the reports as recommended by the Public Accounts Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and necessary steps will be taken up in the near future for the implementation of the said recommendations made by the PAC.
He further clarified that, even though the state financial position has improved to some extend, since the existing state resources could not meet the non plan expenditure of the state the state government has adopted many policies for proper mobilizations of resources of the state, and in doing so there is need of co-operation from various levels. Regarding relaxation of age bar in the recruitment of employees, the Chief Minister further said that, the state government has from time to time adopted relaxation of age bar in various recruitment and appointments to the Government job while considering the year that have been lost due to the prolonged imposition of the ban on recruitment of employees in the state and state government is now working for appointment/recruitment to the Government job according to the need of some of the major departments.
The Leader of the house also mentioned that, the process for appointment of the Chairman of the MPSC has started and will be done soon so as the defunct MPSC shall be made functional again in the nearest future, with this explanation the Chief Minister moved through the August house for passing the Manipur Appropriation (No.1) Bill 2011 and the house later passed the bill and made preparation for taking assent of the Governor.
