The House assembled at 11.00 am of Friday, the 15th September, 2006 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh in the Chair.

MEMBERS PRESENT: 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, 11 Cabinet Ministers, Chairman (Hill Areas Committee) and 46 Elected Members. 

QUESTIONS:             

(a)    Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 1013 asked by  Shri Erabot Yumkham, MLA regarding the agreement in connection with the killing  of Angom Nabachandra Singh on 19/12/2000. 

         (b)          Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 1014 asked by  Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA regarding the Fifth & Sixth Pay Commission. 

         (c)          Hon’ble Minister (Agriculture) made a reply to Starred Question No. 1015 asked by Shri E. Biramani Singh, MLA regarding the supply of agricultural equipments to  the farmer free of cost and at subsidised rate. 

         (d)          Hon’ble Chief Minister made a reply to Starred Question No. 1016 asked by  Shri S. Gopal Singh, MLA  regarding the non-shifting of Moirang Sub-Treasury office. 

         (e)          Hon’ble Minister (Works)  made a reply to Starred Question No. 1017 asked by  Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA regarding the improvement of Nepra Company  Road to Tangjeng. 

         (f)           Hon’ble Minister (Power) made a reply to Starred Question No. 1018 asked by  Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA regarding the installation of 33/KV Power Project  at Lakhamai. 

         (g)          Hon’ble Minister (P.H.E.D.) made a reply to Starred Question No. 1019 asked by  Shri Th. Tomba Singh, MLA  regarding the augmentation of Kakching Water Supply Scheme.

            Answer to Unstarred Question No. 73 was laid on the Table of the House.  

ZERO HOUR: 

            During Zero Hour, Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA  drew the attention of the House on the present law and order situation in the aftermath of the arrest of some important leaders of TIPS( Threatened Indigenous Peoples Society) and AMMOCCO and sought a precise statement from the Chief Minister in this context. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA  raised matters on the reservation of P.G seats for sponsored candidates only at RIMS and also inconsistency in the recruitment rules of ECG diploma holders.

            Shri S. Natum Singh, MLA, drew the attention of the Works Minister regarding the assurance given earlier to construct some important roads in Sagolband constituency. 

INTIMATION OF PRESIDENT’S/GOVERNOR’S ASSENT TO BILL: 

            The Secretary, Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat laid on the table of the House        the following Bills: 

            (i)        The Manipur State Commission for Women Bill, 2006 (Bill No. 1 of 2006) as  assented to by   the President of India on 23-6-2006. 

            (ii)       The Manipur State Commission for Other Backward Classes Bill, 2006 (Bill  No. 12 of 2006) as assented to by the President of India on 29-5-2006. 

            (iii)      The Manipur Legislature( Removal of Disqualifications) Fourth Amendment  Bill, 2006 (Bill No. 13 of 2006) as assented to by the Governor of Manipur on 2-6-2006. 

PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE HOUSE: 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister  laid the following papers:- 

            (i)        The Manipur Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment)
                         Rules, 2006.       

            (ii)       The Manipur Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management
                         (Second Amendment) Rules, 2006. 

            (iii)     Annual Report of State Vigilance Commission, Manipur for the year 2005-2006. 

PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEE REPORT: 

            Shri O. Ibobi  Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister  presented the Seventeenth Report of the Business Advisory Committee, 2006 and also moved:- 

            “That this House agrees with the Seventeenth Report of the Business Advisory Committee presented to the House on 15th September, 2006.”  

            The House agreed. 

CALLING ATTENTION: 

            (i)        S/Shri B.D. Behring and Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLAs called the attention of the Home Minister on the incidents that took place in the ISKCON Compound on 16th August, 2006 and Evangelical Baptist Church on 20th August, 2006 killing innocent people.

            Shri B.D. Behring , MLA pointing out the lapses on the part of the department expressed that there was no adequate security deployment on the day ISKCON blast despite the huge crowd. He strongly condemned the state CID on the apparent lack of intelligence for preventing the attack which killed six people and injuring many others including foreigners. Regarding the church killing at Churachandpur, he alleged that it was a security lapse. He wanted the Home Minister to place the investigation report in the House and to punish the culprits. 

            Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA expressing similar sentiments termed both the incidents as unfortunate and expressed unhappiness at the indifferent attitude of the Centre by not sending an investigating team. He said that a high power committee should be set up to look into the matter and seriously examine it. 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh replying to the motion expressed that there were no security lapses on the day of ISKCON blast. He maintained that those involved in the inhuman and barbarous act would not be spared.  He informed the House that the investigation was progressing positively but was still at a premature stage presently. He also said that the TIPS leaders were arrested in the process of interrogation of some frontal organisations and documents revealing nexus to UGs were recovered from them and they were further remanded in police custody to extract more information and that they would be released under due process of law at the earliest. Regarding the Church incident, he said, it happened in the process of retaliation on the attack on Rastriya Rifles by some UGs. 

            (ii)       Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA called the attention of the Home Minister on the authorised carrying of local made liquors by Excise Department. He quoted the September 12th Yakairol publication on the accusation made by AMADA on the Excise Department employees for carrying illicit local made liquor. He observed that inspite of the prohibition Act on the sale of liquor, there was free flow of both local and foreign liquor. Pointing out the duties of the Excise department, he stressed the need to properly exercise the executive powers enjoyed by it. Regarding the August 29th incident, he said that there was complete contradiction between the versions of the AMADA and the department and expressed that a thorough enquiry should be conducted to regain public confidence in the Excise department. 

(Hon’ble Speaker, Dr.Md. Maniruddin Shaikh adjourned the House at 1.15 p.m. till  2.15 p.m. of the day). 

            (The afternoon session resumed at 2.15 p.m. with the Hon’ble Speaker, Dr. Md. Maniruddin Shaikh in the Chair). 

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri O. Ibobi Singh replying to the calling attention motion clarified that the incident was a complete misunderstanding between the Excise personnel and AMADA volunteers. He clarified that the local made liquor was seized from Irungbam Boy and one Mr. Suresh near Pheidinga by the Excise personnel and they were intercept by AMADA activist at Koirengei on the way to Excise Headquarters. He also informed that the Report of the Departmental inquiry had already been submitted and that a case had been entered into the general diary of Heingang Police Station and that if anyone was found guilty, punishment would be given. He also appealed to the general public to help prevent such illegal trade. 

            Dr. Maniruddin Shaikh, Hon’ble Speaker, read out the resolution condemning the bomb blast at ISKCON and indiscriminate firing in the Evangelical Baptist Church and the following resolution was adopted by the House. 

                        “That this august House strongly condemned the brutal and inhuman acts of  bomb blast which took six innocent lives and injuring many others  on 16/08/2006 in the ISKCON compound and indiscriminate firing  on  20/08/2006 in the Evangelical Baptist Church, Churachandpur killing one person and injuring many others”. 

INTRODUCTION OF GOVERNMENT BILLS:           

            (i)        Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Amendment Bill, 2006. 

            Leave was granted and the Bill was introduced. 

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh , Chief Minister wanted the Bill to be referred to the Hill Areas Committee as it is a Bill related to HAC. 

            S/Shri O. Joy Singh, Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, B.D. Behring, Dr. M. Nara Singh, R.K. Dorendra Singh, MLAs and Shri Th. Debendra Singh and Shri T.N. Haokip, Hon’ble Ministers expressed their opinions.  

            Hon’ble Speaker referred the Bill to the HAC for placing a report in the House on Monday the 18th September 2006 for consideration. 

            (ii)       Md. Alauddin Khan, Minority and Other Backward Classes Minister to move for leave to introduce the Manipur Commission for Other Backward Classes (Amendment) Bill, 2006. 

            Leave was granted and the Bill was introduced. 

SHORT DURATION DISCUSSION: 

            Shri B.D. Behring, MLA raised a discussion on the worsening condition of National Highway 39 from Mao to Imphal. He said that even though N.H. 39 was the lifeline of the people of Manipur, the condition of the road was very pathetic due to the non repairing of the road for quite a long time. He further expressed unhappiness at the lack of quality control while taking up repairing work on the highways in the state. He wanted the Works Minister to give a clear statement regarding the issue. 

            Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA participating in the discussion said that both the National Highways, 39 & 53 were equally bad and added that quality control was not properly maintained while repairing the roads. He wanted the government to give extra emphasis on N.H. 39 as it was a major lifeline of the state. 

            Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA participating in the discussion pointed out that both the National Highways 39 & 53 were equally pathetic and further criticised the Engineers for not maintaining quality controls while repairing roads. 

            Shri Govindas Konthoujam, Minister (Works) replying o the Short Duration Discussion said that maintenance of N.H-39 was done partly by the state PWD and partly by BRO and added that lack of fund for maintenance was the main reason for the deteriorated condition of the highways. The delay in awarding works due to the law and order problem of the state, burning down of a hot mix plant at Porompat and heavy rain were also some of the factors for the delay in taking up the repairing works of the Highways. He further informed that the state cabinet had taken a decision to hand over the maintenance of the Highways to BRO and expressed confidence that such a step would help improve the highways considerably at the earliest.  

INTRODUCTION OF PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILL: 

            Shri S. Ibohal Singh, MLA moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) (Amendment) Bill, 2006. 

            Leave was granted and the Bill was introduced. 

PRIVATE MEMBERS BUSINESS: 

            Shri O. Joy Singh, , MLA moved the following resolution: -           

            “The House, therefore, resolved to refer the prevailing controversial issue of feasibility and non-feasibility of the construction of Tipaimukh Dam to an expert Committee for proper examination and detailed report”. 

            Moving the resolution he said that construction of Tipaimukh Dam  should be for the overall development of the state. He further pointed out that the project report for the dam, prepared by NEEPCO failed to address certain basic issues like geological and seismic factors,  environmental factors, health impact of the rehabilitated villagers, cultural heritage etc. He also reminded the House regarding the resolution adopted in the House twice against the construction of the dam in 1997 and 1999. Considering all these factors, he wanted an independent body to examined the pros and cons of the dam construction before taking up the work. 

            Shri Francis Ngajokpa, Minister (Power) clarifying to the Private Members Resolution said that construction of Tipaimukh Dam was for overall development and benefit of the state. He said that thee Dam would provide 44 MW of power to the state, generate employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers, construction of roads from Jiribam to Tipaimukh, rural electrification, development of a township in that area, fresh water supply to the villagers, and apart from these the local contractors would get works amounting to 2000 crores. He further informed that various public hearings over the construction of the dam had already been conducted and most of the basic issues raised by the mover had been addressed in the project report. The government, he added, felt that the project would immensely benefit the people of the state. 

            The resolution was withdrawn. 

            Hon’ble Speaker adjourned the House  at 4.45 p.m.  till 11.00 a.m of Monday, the 18th September, 2006.

                                                                                                                 T. Joute
                                                                                                                    Secretary,
                                                                                                   Manipur Legislative Assembly.