The House assembled at 11.00 a.m. of Thursday, the 10th July, 2003 in the Assembly Hall with the Hon’ble Speaker in the Chair.

MEMBERS PRESENT:

            Hon’ble Chief Minister, 25 Cabinet Ministers, Chairman (Hill Areas Committee), Hon’ble Deputy Speaker, 9 Ministers of State and 20 Elected Members.

ORAL REPLIES WERE GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING STARRED QUESTIONS:

(a)        In reply to Starred Question No. 307 asked by Shri D. Shaiza, MLA regarding the functioning of DIET centre at Ukhrul District, the Hon’ble Minister (SCERT) gave a reply.

(b)        In reply to Starred Question No. 308 asked by Shri P.S. Henry Paotei, MLA regarding the implementation of Liquor Probihition Act, the Hon’ble MOS (Excise) made a reply.

(c)        In reply to Starred Question No. 309 asked by Shri Ningthoujam Biren, MLA regarding the implementation of mid-day meal Scheme for Sekmai A/C, the Hon’ble Education (S) gave a reply. The Hon’ble Speaker directed that Shri Ningthoujam Biren and Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLAs had a consultation with Education Minister (S) on the matter.

(d)        In reply to Starred Question No. 310 asked by Shri O. Joy Singh,MLA regarding the Canchipur Water Supply Scheme, the Hon’ble Minister of State (PHED) made a reply and supplemented by the Minister (PHED).

(e)        In reply to Starred Question No. 311 asked by Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLA regarding the Water Supply Schemes under Non- Lapsable Pool of Central Resources, the Hon’ble Minister of State (PHED) gave a reply.

(f)         In reply to Starred Question No. 312 asked by Shri L. Ibomcha Singh, MLA regarding the Waishel Drainage Scheme, the Hon’ble Minister (IFCD) made a reply.

(g)        In reply to Starred Question No. 313 asked by Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA regarding the proposal for upgradation of the Urban Slums of Ward No.8, the Hon’ble Minister (MAHUD) gave a reply.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER:

             Hon’ble Speaker T.N. Haokip made an important announcement regarding certain Do’s and Don’ts in the House for the information of the Hon’ble Members.

            A  message from His Excellency the Governor of Manipur, Shri Arvind Dave thanking the House for the adoption of the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address was conveyed to the House.

INFORMATION MADE BY THE HEALTH MINISTER:

            Dr. Chaltonlien Amo, Hon’ble Minister (Health) informed the House that there was no case of mark tampering in the recent MBBS/BDS  Entrance Test Examination, 2003. He said that the answer scripts of the said Test could be examined by the Hon’ble Members.

             The Hon’ble Speaker directed that any interested Members could examine the answer scripts in his Chamber during lunch break.

REPORT  LAID ON THE TABLE:

Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. O. Ibobi Singh, laid the following Reports on the Table of the House.

                         (1)        Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year 
                                      ended 31st March, 2002, Government of Manipur;

                         (2)        Appropriation Accounts, 2001-2002, Government of Manipur; and

                         (3)        Finance Accounts, 2001-2002, Government of Manipur.

CALLING ATTENTION:

(i)         Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA called the attention of the MInister (IFCD) on the matter of taking precautionary measures to combat flood during moonson season. He suggested some measures to be taken up to tackle floods in the State.

            Shri N. Mangi Singh, Minister (IFCD) in his reply to the motion cited some reasons for causing flood in the State. Long term, short term and contingency plans had been underway by formulating master plan projects. A State level co-ordinating committee involving various departments had been constiututed for flood fighting activities. The opening of sectoral control rooms at different centres, identification of vulnerable points, strengthening of embankments, provisions of flood fighting materials etc. were some of the measures being undertaken, he informed the House.

                         (The Hon’ble Deputy Speaker adjourned the House at 1.00 p.m. till 2.00 p.m.)
                                                         Afternoon Session resumed at 2.13 p.m.

            Shri N. Mangi Singh, Minister (IFCD) continuing his statement sought co-operation from one and all in order to tackle the flood situation in the State.

            Further clarifications were made to the queries of Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA.

 (ii)        Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA called the attention of the MAHUD Minister on the role of the Government in the internal matters of the Imphal Municipal Council.

            He questioned why the Government had been interfering to the holding of No- Confidence Motion against the Chairperson of the Council. He alleged that against the Ruling of the High Court the Government had postponed the convening of the meeting on flimsy grounds while according to the Council Act the Gevernment could intervene but not adjourn a meeting of the Municipal Council.

            Shri L. Nandakumar Singh , Minister (MAHUD) stated that the Government could not remain a silent spectator to all the actions taken up by the IMC even though it is an autonomous body. He quoted section 203 of the Manipur Municipalities Act and stated that provision had been provided under it for the Government to oversee all the workings of the Council. He said that since he got reports that some Councillors would  not be able to exercise their voting rights freely, the meeting of the Council had been posponed. Regarding the report that he had recieved money from the Chairperson, he said, if nessesary the House could even constitute a House Committee to look into it.

            On the query of Shri I. Hemochandra Singh, MLA whether the aforesaid meeting would be convened on 18/7/2003 definitely, he replied that nessesary instructions had been given to this effect.

DISCUSSION AND VOTING ON MOTION FOR VOTE ON ACCOUNTS:

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh,  Chief Minister moved the Discussion and Voting on motion for Vote on Accounts, 2003. And the Motion was passed by the House.

INTRODUCTION OF BILL:

            Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister moved for leave to introduce the Manipur Appropriation (No. 2A) Bill, 2003.

            The House granted leave and the Bill was introduced.

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ RESOLUTION:

(i)         Shri O. Joy Singh and Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, MLAs moved the following Resolution:-

                        “This august House has resolved to urge the Government of Manipur to tackle the                              issue of the restoration of  ‘LE  CHATELET’ to the State of Manipur with the Union                              Home Home Ministry and Comptroller and Auditor General of India immediately”.

Shri O. Joy Singh, MLA said that the restoration of  Le Chatelet to the State of Manipur must be secured anyhow because it had been included in the inventory list bequeathed to the state of Manipur following the Merger of 1949 under Article 4. The Manipur Government should appraise the Union Home Ministry and theComptroller and Auditor General of India for the takeover of the said land, now being occupied by the office of the Accountant General, Meghalaya, by the Manipur Government.

                        Shri E. Biramani Singh, Revenue Minister replying to the discussion said that the Manipur Government sent a letter to the Union Governmenrt for restoration of the land to the State of Manipur . Reminder letters had been sent subsequently but no response was recieved from the Centre, he said and added that the state Government had to consider and examine the legal implications before pursuing the matter with the Centre.

                        Shri B.D Behring made some observations on this matter.

                        The Hon`ble Chief Minister further supplemented that the state Government was commited to restore the Le Chatelet to the state by taking up neccessary steps in this direction. He, however, wanted the resolution to be withdrawn.

                         Shri O. Joy Singh and Dr. Nimaichand Singh, MLAs stressed that a  resolution of the House would make the case stronger while pursuing this matter with the Centre and other concern Bodies.

                        A consensus for the adoption was reached by the House and a resolution was unanimously adopted as followed:

                        “This House resolves to urge the Government of India for restoration of                              ‘LE CHATELET’, Shillong, Meghalaya to the State of Manipur” 

                        (ii)     Shri B.D Behring moved the following resolution:-

                            “The House unanimously resolves to urge the Government of Manipur to frame a policy to ensure
                              construction of earthquake resistant houses, buildings on scientific  lines”.

                        He said that a Government policy must be framed to ensure construction of earthquake resistant houses on scientific lines.

                        Shri Gaikhangam, Minister (Works) replied that safety norms and measures in the construction of houses were already under implementation and requested the mover to withdraw the resolution.

                        The Hon`ble Chief Minister further supplemented that building by- laws had been framed since 1969 and being enforced accordingly.

                        Shri B.D Behring, MLA withdrew the resolution on the assurance of the Government to table the relevant copies in the House.

                        The House allowed the resolution to withdraw.

                        The Hon`ble Speaker adjourned the House at 5.20 p.m till 11.00 a.m of Monday, the 14th July, 2003.