Imphal: In the ongoing 13th session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly Monday, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh informed the House that a total of 1,739 COVID-19 positive patients and 38 posts COVID-19 related deaths have been reported till August 20.
Replying to a question raised by Surjakumar Okram, Chief Minister (in-Charge Health) said the related death records are from the Government and Private Health facilities in the State. He said only 38 post-COVID-19 related deaths were reported through concerned DCs and SPs. The Chief Minister also said that eligible technicians to operate the installed oxygen plants in the state will be recruited soon. He also informed the House that Cabinet will consider steps to rehabilitate the family of Late Jamadar Waikhom Ronald who succumbed to COVID-19 during election duty in the next sitting.
The Chief Minister informed the House that the Centre has sanctioned COVID Relief Fund for the year 2020-21 and 2021-22. Replying to a question raised by Surjakumar Okram, Biren said under the Government of India’s COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness package (ECRP), a total amount of Rs. 31,52,00,000/- has been sanctioned. He said under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), Rs. 16,80,00,000/- has been allocated during the financial year 2020-21 and Rs. 8,40,00,000/- has been sanctioned during financial year 2021-22. A total of Rs. 3,00,00,000/- was released by North Eastern Council in 2021 for Covid Related expenses and the entire amount has been spent.
During 2020-21, a sum of Rs. 4.111 crores was allocated from PM CARES. No fund is allocated from PM CARES during financial year 2021-22. He also informed the House that a total of Rs. 7.5 crores have been released from SDRF for giving remuneration to COVID Task Force.
The Chief Minister while replying to another question raised by Md. Fajur Rahim, said that the Government will not spare anybody involved in the misappropriation of fund meant for compensation of the flood victims that occurred in 2017 in Thoubal District. He further stated that the fund was deposited in 2 installments to DC Thoubal in February, 2019 and March, 2020. Welcoming the suggestion given by the MLA, the Chief Minister said that he will inform the concern MLAs for taking up further necessary steps to deliver the compensation.
Agriculture Minister O. Lukhoi Singh has informed the House that 15 Farmer Producer Company (FPC) has been formed under MOMA and MOVCD-Agriculture. He said the scheme has been launched since 2016 in the State and these 15 FPCs were formed with a service provider to boost up agricultural activities in the State. Black rice have been cultivated by 6 (six) such FPCs in the State.
DuringZero Hour, K. Meghachandra raised the ongoing cease work strike of Employees Associations’ demanding full implementation of 7th Pay. He also expressed his concern regarding the issue and urged the Government to take necessary steps.
Kh. Joykisan Singh also raised the issue of ASHA workers in this pandemic situation and urged the Government to raised their honorarium from the current amount which they are enjoying.
P. Brojen Singh, while lauding the motion moved by Sanajaoba Leishemba, MP in the Rajya Sabha on July 28, 2021, raised the issue of citizens who are residing in the 7 (seven) assembly constituencies of Thoubal District and Jiribam assembly constituency who are deprived of their right to contest parliamentary elections. He urged the State Government to consider the issue and raise it to the Centre.
