Imphal: The 13th Session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine die Tuesday. The 5-day long 13th session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly witnessed three sittings, eight Obituary References, 18 Starred Questions, 16 Unstarred Questions, one Withdrawal, four Papers laid, five Calling Attention, 17 Intimation of Government Assent Bill, one Motion for Extension of Time For Presentation of Committee Report, four Presentation of Committee Report, seven Government Bills introduced and seven Government Bills passed.
Tribal Affairs & Hills Minister Vungzagin Valte placing his observation regarding ‘The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill, 2021’, appealed to all the tribal communities in the hill areas in the State of Manipur to have faith in the due process of the law and also on the present State government which is committed to providing tribal centric development in all the hill areas in the State of Manipur.
He said that the Tribal Affairs & Hills department has already issued a clarification that it has received an advance copy of draft “The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021” from the Hill Areas Committee, Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 17, 2021. He said that the proposed draft bill is a complicated issue even involving the repeal of the Act passed by Parliament namely Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971 (the Principal Act). The Department of Tribal Affairs & Hills has consulted all stakeholders including the Law Department and office of the Advocate General. And they have opined that the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021 needs a careful examination according to the due process of law and the same has been processed accordingly, and a committee has been duly constituted.
He also expressed that he himself being a tribal and the Minister-in-charge of the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department, would like to protect the interest of the tribal communities and take up developmental activities in the hills at all times.
He also highlighted that the present BJP led government has already taken up several initiatives like “Go to Hills”, “Hill Leaders Day”. Cabinet meetings in the hill districts were also held to review work progress.
Replying to calling attention motion raised by D.Korungthang on the reported deteriorating condition of the Manipur Guest House at Vellore, Tamil Nadu, leader of the House and Chief Minister N.Biren Singh said that the government has already taken up works to increase the number of State Bhawans’ and guest house in other States. He said that the government is under process to transfer the present Manipur Guest House at Vellore, Tamil Nadu from Social Welfare to General Administration Department (GAD).
The Chief Minister said that there are reports of locals showing reluctance to patients coming and staying at the guest house. The guest house which has 11 flats in three different blocks is in deplorable condition and only four flats are presently used for lodging purposes. He said that the government will try to acquire a new site at Vellore and to operate the present guest house properly thereby engaging some contractual staff until then.
In reply to a starred question raised by Th. Lokeshwar Singh, Works Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh said that process is underway for maintenance of State Highways, MDRs, ODRs and IVRs in accordance with the available budget and the work.
In reply to a starred question raised by Surjakumar Okram, Finance Minister Y.Joykumar said that there has been adverse impact on the economy of the State due to COVID-19 lockdown and curfew.
As per the statement laid on the Table of the House, regarding the steps taken up to address the impact on the economy of the State due to COVID-19 include calibration of lockdown and restrictions, increasing capital expenditure, increasing public administration expenditure, improving State’s resource availability, effective implementation of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and providing essentials and support to those in need.
In reply to a Calling Attention moved by K. Meghachandra, Minister-in-charge of CAF&PD, Thokchom Satyabrata Singh said that the first priority of the department is to maintain the supply chain and ensure the availability of essential commodities. He said the next is ensuring that rice under NFSA, PMGYK are supplied to the beneficiaries. He said the State has around 18,60,159 NFSA beneficiaries. Further stating that ensuring rice for NFSA and PMGYK reaches the beneficiaries every month is not an easy task, he sought cooperation, support and suggestions from all.
He continued that the department regularly checks and monitors the price list of the 19 commodities listed as essential and that State Commission and District Commissions are also set up so that consumers may file any complaints regarding unusual price hikes.
During Zero Hour, Nameirakpam Loken Singh, AK. Mirabai Devi, Alfred Kanngam Arthur, Kh. Joykisan Singh, Khundrakpam Th.Lokeshwar Singh, M Rameshwar Singh also took part in the discussion.
