Imphal: The Manipur Legislative Assembly passed six demands amounting to Rs. 30,27,85,79,000 on the afternoon session of the ninth day of the ongoing 12th session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
The demands passed are Demand No. 22 – Public Health Engineering for Rs 18,47,37,27,000; Demand No. 26 – Administrative Justice for Rs. 130,82,31,000; Demand No. 36– Minor Irrigation for Rs 3,03,61,41,000; Demand No. 37 – Fisheries for Rs. 78,02,71,000; Demand No. 41 – Art & Culture for Rs 78,50,76,000 and Demand No. 44 – Social Welfare for Rs. 5,89,51,33,000.
During the discussion on Demand No 41- Art & Culture, leader of the House and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who is also in charge of the Art & Culture Department, said that the ‘Go To Hills’ and the ‘Go To Village’ schemes were not taken up casually but are realization of dreams from long time ago.
Biren said that during his first Assembly Session as an elected member of the House, he had raised a Private Members Resolution on March 20, 2002 in the State Assembly towards strengthening the hill-valley relation. These schemes are visions and dreams from more than 20-30 years ago, which is being implemented only now, he said.
Regarding the construction of the Culture and Heritage Complex at Ringui, the Chief Minister said that if funds from the Centre are delayed or not received, then the Government will consider for alternative options at the State level capacity.
The Chief Minister also stated that the State government has allocated Rs.3.80 crore for the construction of museums for the 37 tribes in the State in their own villages. He also informed the House that the government has also earmarked Rs.27 lakhs for cultural activities and another Rs.14 lakhs for district libraries.
The government has introduced the Chief Minister gi Artiste Singi Tengbang for which Rs.4 crore has been earmarked, adding that artiste from both the hills and the valley can avail benefits of the scheme.
Under the scheme which covers all artists, pension will be provided to around 1000 artistes including 150 national awardees. In order to support the artiste of the State, the scheme has also been linked to the Start Up scheme and continued that all recognized artiste under the scheme will also avail the Chief Minister Gi Hakshel gi Tengbang.
On the University of Culture, the Chief Minister said that it is functioning properly by utilizing infrastructure of Government Dance College, Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Music College, Directorate of Art & Culture. MA courses in 11 disciplines have been opened, adding that the Vice Chancellor of the university has been appointed.
The university has 118 acre of land since a separate campus is necessary and the amount for land acquired from the Forest Dept has also been reimbursed. The government has submitted a proposal of Rs.200 crore to the Ministry of Culture for the construction of the university and an additional proposal of Rs.75 crore has also been submitted to the Ministry for a Scheme of Tagore Cultural Complex.
Chief Minister Biren also said that the issue surrounding religious places of any community is a very sentimental issue and it is best not to disturb it. He said that the declaration of 15 sites as a protected area is under process and that objection calls for Koubru and Thanjing will end by February end. He said that Koubru falls under the Reserved Forest area and belongs to the Forest department.
During discussion on Demand No 37- Fisheries, Minister Sorokhaibam Rajen Singh said that the State will be able to achieve self-sufficiency of fish production in three years time.
He added that the government has taken up several programmes to make the State self sufficient in fish production.
The Minister explaining centrally sponsored schemes like the Blue Revolution, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (Rkvy) said that under the Blue Revolution scheme, new ponds for fish rearing are developed for selected beneficiaries.
The department has also selected 900 beneficiaries from the hill districts for pisciculture.
He continued that under the National Fishery Development Board funding 3-day skill development programmes have also been conducted in districts. Training on Biofloc has also been completed for around 150 beneficiaries.
The government is confident that after three years, the State will be self-sufficient by producing 50,000 MT. The fisheries department is also putting efforts to preserve and produce indigenous varieties of fish in the State, he added.
The Minister also said that a proposal of Rs.600 crore has also been submitted to the Centre jointly with the ICAR, CAU and NABARD by preparing an Action plan and awaiting approval.
The Minister also lauded the fishermen of the State for their contribution. The department will also provide Fish feed at the rate of Rs.55 per kg, he added.
During discussion on Demand No 44- Social Welfare, leader of the House Chief Minister N.Biren Singh said that construction of a State run Rehabilitation Centre at Bishnupur will be completed soon.
During discussion on Demand No. 36-Minor Irrigation, the leader of the House N.Biren Singh who is also in charge of the department said that the Centre has released an amount of Rs.19 crore (approx) to the State government to clear liabilities for completed works under the AIBP which is now renamed the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and that the amount will be released after the Assembly session concludes.
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) – Har Khet Ko Panu- Ground Water of Ministry of Jal Shakti is a flagship programme of the Government of India
Site identification under PMKSY is taken up through satellite mapping to check water availability across the State and other guidelines.
Regarding borewell digging in the State, he said that tube well digging is taken up after proper satellite mapping.
Water Users Committees are formed so that projects are implemented properly and so that their benefits reach the farmers, he said adding that he will review how the committees can come under the purview of the MLAs.
The Chief Minister also assured to look into the issue of pension benefits for work-charged employees.
During discussion on Demand No 22 – Public Health Engineering, Minister Losii Dikho appealed to all members of the House to co-operate and to participate for the successful implementation of water supply schemes in the State.
He further assured to visit all constituencies along with the MLAs concerned and officials to inspect implementation of water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Regarding formation of a Task Force for conservation of water, he said he will discuss the issue with the Chief Minister and other departments concerned.
Leader of the House, Chief Minister N Biren said that under the Prime Minister’s vision to provide drinking water to all households by 2024, a total of Rs.3054 crore was approved through the recommendation of the Economic Committee under New Development bank and this project covers all areas of the State. A phase under the project has already started and the tender process for the second phase is under process.
