Imphal: The Manipur Legislative Assembly passed seven demands amounting to Rs. 1486,27,23,000 in the afternoon session on the 11th Day of the ongoing 12th Session of 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
The demands passed are Rs. 15,80,41,000 for Information & Publicity; Rs. 1095,56,00,000 for Medical, Health & Family Welfare Services; Rs 186,49,61,000 for Textiles, Commerce & Industries; Rs 3,88,17,000 for Rehabilitation; Rs 7,46,86,000 for Stationery & Printing; Rs. 146,81,72,000 for Panchayat and Rs. 30,24,46,000 for Economics & Statistics.
Leader of the House and Chief Minister N Biren Singh informed the House that the government has constituted a Rationalization Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary to look into the transfer and posting of State Government employees. He said that during the rationalization process main priority will be given to the Health and Education departments. The Chief Minister made the announcement during the Demand Discussion on Demand No. 11 – Medical, Health and Family Welfare Services.
The Chief Minister, who is also in charge of the Medical, Health and Family Welfare Services, also said that at present there are 886 vacant posts of doctors out of sanctioned posts of 2138. Stating that the Manipur Public Service Commission will soon start functioning, he said that the process for recruitment of 300 doctors will be taken up on priority basis.
He said that altogether transit accommodations are being set up at 19 locations across the state out of which some have already been inaugurated. The remaining will be inaugurated at the earliest, he said adding that once these buildings are inaugurated and start functioning, state employees can avail the facilities and remain stationed at their place of postings. He said legal actions will be taken up as per service rule against any employee who is found absent from their place of posting, once these buildings start functioning. He also added that the transit accommodation buildings have 40-capacity each.
Meanwhile, speaking on the fight against the present COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Minister lauded all sections of the public for their support and co-operation in fighting the pandemic.
He said that it was a joint effort and the government is thankful to all people. He said the effort to combat the pandemic is still going on and the government still requires the support and cooperation from all fronts.
He also assured prompt action against any government hospitals, Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, Primary Health Sub-Centres failing to provide generic medicine which are provided free of cost and at cheaper rates by the government.
The Chief Minister also said that on the issue of procurement of low quality face mask specially N-95 mask, the vigilance has taken up a case and the supplies have been seized. As of now, all items procured in connection with the fight against COVID-19 pandemic are first examined by an expert committee of several experts including Director Health Services, Director JNIMS, Director RIMS, and then utilized as per requirement.
The leader of the House also assured to table a White Paper before the House on the expenditure incurred while combating the COVID pandemic before the end of the ongoing session.
During discussion on Demand No.49 – Economics and Statistics, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh, who is in charge of the department, said that the data generated by the Economics and Statistics department is very important. He said that the department is facing a shortage of man-power, but there is a process for recruitment to fill some posts to strengthen the department. He further said that the department will try to bring out at least a half-yearly economic survey.
During Discussion on Demand No. 21- Textiles, Commerce & Industries, Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh said that the department has taken up several welfare schemes for the weavers, artisans, and entrepreneurs of the State. He highlighted several schemes including the Handloom Promotion Scheme, Handloom and Handicraft Delivery Scheme, Weavers Card, Yarn Pass Book.
He said that weavers who possess Yarn Pass Book will avail 20 per cent subsidy while procuring yarn and that under the Handloom and Handicraft Delivery Scheme, the department delivers yarn and buys back the finished products from the weavers/artisans.
The Minister also informed the House that there are three Industrial Estates presently functioning at Takyelpat in Imphal West, Tera Urak in Bishnupur and Kuraopokpi in Kakching.
The department is also helping by generating employment through the Industrial Estates, he said adding that the Industrial Estate, Takyelpat has 20 work sheds providing employment to 404 employees, Industrial Estate at Tera Urak has 27 work sheds having 138 employees and 27 work sheds at Kuraopokpi with 188 employees.
He continued that three others at Chandel, Kasom and Churachandpur are almost complete, while another three at Imphal East, Senapati and Tamenglong are in the pipeline.
The Minister also said that the House has also passed the Manipur Industrial Single Window Clearance Bill, 2021 (Bill No. 7 of 2021) and The Manipur Public Services Delivery Guarantee Bill, 2021.
The Manipur Industrial Estates Rule, 2019 was amended to encourage the entrepreneurs, he said adding that encouraging entrepreneurs will mean more generation of employment. The Minister also explained certain bills including the Manipur Public Service Delivery Guarantee Bill and Manipur Investor and Investment Bill.
Biswajit said that the Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises Scheme (PM FME Scheme) will be launched soon in the State. The scheme will promote the “One District One Product.”
He continued that beneficiaries for loom distribution are received online and after proper verification and aptitude test is also conducted. However, preference is given to the weaker section willing to weave but have no financial support. He said that the scheme also provides for exchange or repair of faulty parts.
During the discussion on the various demands, MLAs K Ranjit Singh, Kh Lokeshwar Singh and Alfred Kanngam Arthur moved policy cuts, while, MLAs K Govindas, P Saratchandra and Surjakumar Okram gave observations
