IMPHAL, June 28: On the second day sitting of the second session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, the House today unanimously approved and appreciated the Governor’s address presented on March 19 last.
The House also unanimously approved the Second Report of the Business Advisory Committee, 2012.
The Committee Report, which was produced in the House by Chief Minister O Ibobi who is also the leader of the House, was approved by the members.
Later on, the Chief Minister initiated discussion on Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s address.
The motion was moved by MLA I Hemochandra and seconded by Transport Minister, Dr Khumukcham Ratankumar.
Thanking the Governor’s address, Hemochandra recalled that former Governor of Manipur BK Nehru presented his address in the first state Assembly session on March 30, 1972, and now discussion on the Motion of Thanks on Governor’s address is discussing again in this House after a gap of four decades.
Pointing out that the then Annual Plan size of the state was fixed at the tune of Rs 8.51 crore only, he said today, it has been increased by Rs 3500 crore.
The Singjamei constituency MLA said it has been made possible only because the state government has taken up several development programmes for the people of the state.
Fifty-four different projects had also been taken up by the SPF-I government under Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) on the top of the huge Plan size, Hemochandra stressed.
The state government also took up stringent steps under serious supervision on transport and communication, drinking water, Law and Order, Education and Public Distribution System (PDS) sectors, he maintained.
Stating that the government is now consistently making efforts, particularly to ensure sufficient supply of power and drinking water to the people, he thanked the Governor’s address.
Supporting the motion, Works and Transport Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar said the Congress-led government had solved the problem of financial deficit faced in 2005-06.
He said the construction and development works of the 85 km long railway track from Jiribam to Imphal is significantly progressing and target has been set to complete it by March 2016.
Later, he thanked the Governor’s address.
However, Opposition MLAs, Laishom Ibomcha, NCP and Dr I Ibohalbi, Trinamool Congress opposed the Governor’s address saying that it needs amendment.
Ibomcha said that the water supply in urban areas of the state is received only once a week but during Assembly sessions some areas get it twice a week.
He said that to wait for the year 2036 for proper supply of drinking water is a very long time and that it has become quite necessary to preserve water resources.
The opposition MLA also termed the Governor’s address as a prototype, saying it will not be correct to make the Governor’s address like a thesis.
Admitting that the state is now facing a problem of conflict situation, he asserted that development works in the state can be carried out smoothly if an end comes to it.
He also accused the government of issuing up to four BPL cards to a single family. The MLA said the Health Policy of the state is outdated, asking the source on which the JNIMS has been functioning.
Ibomcha expressed the desire of using alternative source of power like solar power to solve the problem of shortage of electricity in the state.
The Chief Minister in response to the above statements said the government is taking serious note of the issue of drinking water and that the concept of preservation of water resources is quite right.
Ibobi also said the government will look into the issue of MGNRGS job cards, pledging that individuals involved in the illegal withdrawal of money from the scheme will not be spared.
Clarifying on the question of Health sector, the Chief Minister said JNIMS is now being run by the state. The Medical Council of India has approved for admission of third year medical students in the institute, he informed.
The state is purchasing power by spending Rs 15 crore every year but collection of taxes on this sector has not been able to reach even Rs 2 crore. This is because there are numerous unauthorized power connections.
The two Opposition MLAs later withdrew their proposal on the amendment of the Governor’s address and the House unanimously approved it.