IMPHAL, July 4: The 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today passed the “The Manipur Public Servants’ Personal Liability (Amendment) Bill, 2013 during the last day of its 5th session. The amendment bill was tabled by state Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on the floor of the House.
During discussion on the only business of the day, Oinam MLA Dr I Ibohalbi Singh and Keishamthong MLA L Ibomcha Singh placed their observations on the floor of the House. They observed that that they are not appealing for amendment to the Bill, but seeking a clarification from the state Chief Minister.
Replying to the observations from the MLAs, state Chief Minister said that the Manipur Public Servants’ Personal Liability (Amendment) Act, 2013 was enforced since 2006 with efforts now to amend some portions.
He continued that even though the Act was enforced since 2006, it will be applied from four years prior to the Act being enforced.
The CM went on to say that there are cases involving around Rs 20 crores in financial liabilities and added that the total number of cases is 28 out which, 17 are in process.
Action will be taken up against all officials involved in the cases without any impartiality for which there will be High Power Committees, he said.
One of the committees will be headed by the Chief Secretary and the other will be headed by the Chief Minister, he said before adding that the Chief Minister led team will have two Ministers under him and two other officials as member and it will have a minimum of five members.
He said the cases are mainly from the Education (S), Health Services, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Minorities & Other Backward Classes, Power Dept, etc.
The Chief Minister further continued that 50 percent of the monthly pay of the officials involved in the said cases will be deducted while for the pensioners, one-third of their pensions will be deducted.
It may be mentioned that the “The Manipur Public Servants’ personal Liability Act, 2006 (Manipur Act No 8 of 2006) was given assent by the state Governor on April 7, 2006 and the Extra-Ordinary Manipur Gazette Notification was issued on April 13, 2006.