8th Assembly session adjourned sine die

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, August 27, 2019: The Eight Session of the 11^th Manipur Legislative Assembly which began on Monday was adjourned sine die with the election of three financial committees on Tuesday.

The committees consisted of seven elected members each.

Dr. Chaltonlien Amo, D.D.Thaisii, Keisham Meghachandra Singh, Paonam Brojen Singh, Khumukcham Joykisan Singh, Sapam Ranjan Singh and Thokchom Satyabrata Singh are the members of the Committee of Public Accounts.

Committee on Estimates comprises of Sanasam Bira Singh, Yamthong Haokip, Md. Fajur Rahim, N. Indrajit, Shri Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei, K. Leishiyo and Surjakumar Okram.

The Committee on Public Undertakings comprises of D. Korungthang, Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, Laishram Radhakishore Singh, Ak. Mirabai Devi, R.K. Imo Singh, Soibam Subhaschandra Singh and Heikham Dingo Singh.

The Speaker applauded the members of the Treasury and Opposition benches, officers and officials of Manipur Legislative Assembly, security personnel and the media fraternity for their co-operation in conducting the Assembly Session successfully.

Health and family welfare minister L. Jayantakumar Singh appealed to all the stakeholders to co-operate in controlling the outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis in the state. He was replying to a calling attention motion raised by Kh. Joykisan Singh, MLA and Surjakumar Okram, MLA on the outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis in the state.

The minister said, immediate and long term measures have been formulated to control the spread of Japanese Encephalitis (JE). For each district, spot verification, environment evaluation and counseling sessions have been conducted under National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. District Rapid Response Teams comprising CMOs, DMOs, paramedics and nurses have been set up to tackle whatsoever be the situation arising out of JE. Verification of suspected JE infection has also been carried out. Fogging has been done in 123 different areas and chemically treated mosquito nets were distributed as immediate control measures. Sanitation programmes especially at vulnerable areas has also been carried out for the time being. As a precautionary measure Belladonna pills has been distributed to the public by Department of Ayush.  Free diagnostic centers are opened at RIMS, JNIMS and District Hospital Churachandpur and free treatment to the JE patients have been delivered.

The minister further said vaccination programmes for JE and other Vector-borne Diseases has been conducted throughout the districts. Public awareness campaign will be carried out for JE and other Vector-borne diseases. As of now, 232 JE cases have been reported, of which 5 have succumbed to the illness. The government has taken up steps to control further outbreak despite financial constraint. He also informed the House that government is fully prepared to tackle the situation and if required will apprise the centre for assistance.

Joykishan and Surjakumar Okram urged the government to take steps to tackle the situation arising out of recent outbreak of JE in the state.

Leader of the House N. Biren Singh informed the House that three accused have been identified in connection with the threatening of voters with licensed gun at Chalou and Pungdongbam Uyumkhong area in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election. The chief minister who is in charge of Home, while replying to a question raised by Ksh. Biren Singh said the licensed gun belongs to Achoibam Deben Singh of Lamlai Mayai Leikai and the firearm has been seized and sent for examination at forensic science laboratory. He said the license has been cancelled and investigation is in progress.

Rural development and Panchayati Raj minister Th. Biswajit Singh said the state government has not made any proposal to increase the fund and number of days of employment under MGNREGA keeping in view of the prevailing drought like situation in the state. While replying to a question raised by Surjakumar Okram, MLA, the minister said 29.95 Man-days have been allocated under MGNREGA for the current financial year so far. The Centre has assured the state to increase the working days if the state can achieved the target on time. A system called SECURE has been introduced for uniformity, accountability and transparency of the scheme.

The minister who is also in charge of works said the improvement work of Christian Cemetery Road at Chingmeirong will be included in the current year’s Work Programme. He was replying to a question raised by Dr. Chaltonlien Amo.

Agriculture minister V. Hangkhanlian informed the House that the government is fully prepared to tackle drought like situation in the state. Replying to a query and supplementary raised by K. Meghachandra Singh, the minister said a cabinet decision was taken on July 28 to declare drought in the state. Ministry of agriculture has also appraised of the prevailing situation. If the parameters of declaring drought have been fulfilled, Centre will announced drought in the state and financial assistance will also be released. As an alternative measure, compensatory cropping in Kharif season will be introduced.

Education minister Th. Radheshyam Singh said the department is planning to construct and renovate government Schools in Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency. While replying to question raised by Kh. Joykishan Singh, the minister said on need-based basis department is planning to take up construction works. He urged the Monitoring Committee headed by local MLAs to co-operate with the department in smooth functioning of the government schools.

Replying to another question raised by Alfred Kanngam Arthur, the minister said the Department has been trying to develop higher education equally in both the hills and valley. He said there is no shortage of teaching faculty in Pettigrew College, Ukhrul district. Only 198 students have been enrolled in the college in the current academic session. All 38 sanction post has been filled up and another 11 guest lecturers have also been engaged so far. As there is necessity of training of teachers in hill districts, B.Ed Course will be opened at Churachandpur college and Pettigrew college.

Health minister L. Jayantakumar Singh, replying to a question raised by Md. Ashab Uddin, said under Section 7 of the Registration of Birth and Deaths Act, 1969, all birth and deaths should be registered to registrar within its jurisdiction. He said under Section 8, 9 and 10 of this Act, all birth and death at hospital, residence, jail and other places should be reported to the concerned Registrar through prescribed form. The minister also assured the House that the concerned department will take up necessary steps to shorten the procedure of obtaining birth and death certificates.

Govindas Konthoujam urged the government to take steps to make the Kwasiphai Water Supply Scheme in Bishnupur fully functional. Drawing the attention of the concerned department during Zero Hour, he said the scheme has failed to supply potable water for the last 2 years. As the area is facing shortage of safe drinking water, the only means is to renovate the water supply scheme to fulfill the needs of the people.

Meghachandra raised the issue of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee quoting media reports of banning the Railway Project if their demands are not fulfilled. He urged the government to look into the matter seriously.

Yamthong Haokip drew the attention of the House regarding the construction of five bridges in Saikul.

Brojen also drew the attention of the House to introduce alternative cropping like Wheat, Bajra, Jowar etc., in the ongoing season as compensatory measures in the prevailing drought like situation in the state. (DIPR)