Imphal March 2, 2023 (DIPR): On the ninth day of the ensuing 3rd session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, replying to a question raised by MLA Th.Lokeshwar Singh, Water Resource Minister Shri Awangbow Newmai stated that the work programme has been formulated but the constituency work programme has not been taken up so far.
Responding to the question raised by MLA K.Meghachandra Singh, Education Minister Th.Basanta Singh said that government has provisions for employment of deserving meritorious sportsperson in class III and IV posts not exceeding 5% of the total vacancies as per the Department’s notification and has been implementing the same.
On the question raised by MLA Th.Lokeshwar Singh, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Letpao Haokip said that under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture(MIDH), vegetables seeds and spices seeds are provided to the people as an alternative to Poppy cultivation in hill areas.
Replying to the question raised by MLA Paolienlal Haokip, Forest, Environment &Climate Change Minister Th.Biswajit Singh said that Forest Department, Manipur is taking up afforestation programmes in degraded forest lands including the barren lands affected by the Poppy plantations. He added that a project proposal ‘Alternate Livelihood for Poppy farmers with permanent (Terrace) cultivation on Jhum lands through Integrated Approach in the Hill Districts of Manipur’ has been submitted by Horticulture & Soil Conservation Department which includes plantation of high value crops/fruits over 10,000 acres of poppy affected areas as an alternative livelihood to Poppy farmers.
The House acknowledges the achievements of Saikhom Mirabai Chanu on her being awarded ‘the Sportstar of the Year (female)Award’2022. Leader of the House and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh assured that Saikhom Mirabai Fitness Centre will be constructed at Nongpok Kakching tocompliment her achievements.
HOUSE PASSES 6 DEMANDS FOR GRANTS AMOUNTING TO Rs20,789,924,000
On the ninth day of the 2nd part of the ensuing 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Session, the House unanimously passed six demands for grants amounting to Rupees20,789,924,000. The demands for grants are (i) Demand No. 19: Environment and Forest (ii) Demand No. 38: Panchayat (iii) Demand No. 43: Horticulture and Soil Conservation (iv) Demand No. 45: Tourism (v) Demand No. 47: Minorities and Other Backward Classes and Scheduled Caste Department and (vi) Demand No. 48: Relief and Disaster Management.
For (i) Demand No. 19: Environment and Forest a sum of Rs 710,72,85,000 (ii) Demand No. 38: Panchayat a sum of Rs 156,80,42,000 (iii) ) Demand No. 43: Horticulture and Soil Conservation a sum of Rs 96,50,65,000 (iv) Demand No. 45: Tourism a sum of Rs 387,54,10,000 (v) Demand No. 47: Minorities and Other Backward Classes and Scheduled Caste Department a sum of Rs 641,64,84,000 and (vi) Demand No. 48: Relief and Disaster Management a sum of Rs 85,76,38,000 have been granted and passed in the House for the financial year ending 31st March, 2024.
During the discussion on demands for grants, MLAs Shri K. Ranjit Singh, Shri K. Meghachandra Singh, Shri Th. Lokeshwar Singh and Shri Surjakumar Okram moved cut motions on demands No.19, 38,43, 45, 47 and 48, which were later withdrawn and passed in the House. MLAs Shri Sapam Nishikant, Shri Leishiyo Keishing and Shri M. Rameshwar also joined in the demand discussion and expressed their observation and suggestions on the demands of Tourism,Environment & Forest and Relief & Disaster Management.
Replying to a cut motion by the MLAs, Leader of the House Shri N. BirenSingh informed the House that the future economy of the State lies in tourism. He stated that 57 siteshave been identified and necessary construction works are taken up on priority basis. Among the northeast states, Manipur tops in tourism sector. He further informed that necessary steps will be taken up by the government to develop the sites that have historical relevance.Tourist circuit needs to be set up to attract foreign tourists, he added. Shri N. Biren Singh also mentioned that during the last term, the government has sanctioned funds for development of tourist spots in all the 60 Assembly Constituencies of the state in the respective areas of the elected representatives. The Government is giving importance to tourism sector, he further added.
Shri N. Biren Singh said that there has been confusion in providing benefits under MOBCand after identifying useful schemes that can be implemented in the state, the government made changes for some schemes in 2020-21. He said that benefits were provided to the beneficiaries after giving training for skill development.
Environment & Forest Minister, Shri Th. Biswajit Singh informed the House that to check pollution in the state, two sites of Pollution Control Board have been set up at Manipur University and Dhanamanjuri University.The government is trying to set up such sites in every suitable areas of the state, he added. Th. Biswajit Singh further informed the House that steps have been taken up by the government to conserve/preserve Protected and Reserved Forest areas. Recently the government has evicted residential sites at Protected and Reserved Forestareas. The Forest Department has also taken up steps for mass plantation of trees in Imphal City and other open spaces to curb pollution, he further added. Minister also appealed to all the stakeholders to take equal responsibility in conserving and preserving the forest areas.
Regarding the trading of timber, Shri Biswajit said that timber trading has been done legally as far as possible in the state even though there might be some lapses.The department has auctioned timber at government rate and transit passes were given to timber traders by the Forest department.
Relief & Disaster Management Minister, Shri AwangbowNewmai informed the House that the government is trying to frame bye-laws for construction of buildings in disaster prone areas mainly the hills districts. Many buildings are constructed at the town areas of the hill districtsdue to population pressure and there is need for monitoring of such construction works. He also informed that necessary arrangements to combat natural disaster are taken up by the department. Trainings are given to volunteers in each and every district of the state for immediate response. The department is trying to update to face any calamities that occur in the state, he added. (DIPR)