IMPHAL, June 14: The Manipur Legislative Assembly has today passed a total of Rs 10,44,96,28,000 for seven various demands on the 5th day of the 5th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The demands passed by the House today included a total sum of Rs 9,11,21,44,000 for demand No 5 for Finance; a total sum of Rs 71919000 for demand No 9 for Information and Publicity; a total sum of Rs 161367000 for Demand No 28 for State Excise; Rs 33405000 for Demand No 9 for Sales Tax, other taxes/Duties on Commodities and Services; a total sum of Rs 919179000 for Demand No 36 for Minor Irrigation; a total sum of Rs 51761000 for Demand No 42 for State Academy of Training and sum of Rs 99753000 for Demand No 46 for Science and Technology
All seven demands passed in the House today were tabled by the state Chief Minister who also holds the Finance portfolio and who is also the leader of the House for discussion by the House.
During the discussion for the approval of the seven demands, Opposition MLAs Dr I Ibohalbi Singh, L Ibomcha Singh and P Brojen Singh placed motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut against Demand No 5 for Finance.
The opposition MLAs raised issues about the Finance Department on matters relating to Limitation/Restriction while encashing Bills by the Finance Department; the need to change procedure regarding six monthly reporting of ex-MLAs to the Treasury Department for Photography to prove that he/she is still alive, the lack of initiative in the resource mobilisation of the state and mismanagement in Finance Department.
Opposition MLA Kh Joykishan Singh moved the Motion for Economy Cut during discussion on Demand No 5 saying there is no clear-cut policy in Non-Plan Expenditure.
During discussion on Demand No 28 on State Excise, MLAs Th Shyamkumar Singh and P Brojen Singh raised the Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut while citing that the department needs to properly implement Liquor Prohibition Regulations and to streamline the departmental functioning and generation of less revenue due to improper management and lack of policy.
During the discussion for the same Demand, MLA Joykishan Singh also raised the Motion for Economy Cut on the issue of “Inability to collect proper revenue”.
MLA Dr I Ibohalbi also raised the Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut during discussion of Demand No 29 on the failure to mobilise new taxes and leakage in tax collection of the department.
During the discussion for Demand No 36 on Minor Irrigation, MLA Th Shyamkumar Singh moved a Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut citing “Non-utilisation and misappropriation of funds in the department`, while Dr I Ibohalbi Singh moved a motion for Token Cut on “failure to regularise the work charge employees”. MLA L Ibomcha Singh moved a Motion for Economy Cut on “Construction of Dams without proper physical verification”.
During the discussion for Demand No 46 on Science and Technology, MLA Dr I bohalbi Singh also moved a Motion for Token Cut on “Inability of the government to popularise the use of Ultra Violet tapping of Solar energy.
However all such motions moved by the MLAs were eventually withdrawn following clear cut clarifications from the state Chief Minister, following which the demands were unanimously passed.
Altogether, 14 demands have been passed till today the 5th sitting of the 5th Session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.