Imphal, July 17: Amidst allegation of financial mismanagement and five members of the Opposition members stubbornly refusing to withdraw their policy and token cut motion, the House had to resort to a voice vote for passing the demand grant of State Finance Department amounting to Rs 189,94,01,000 today.

However, the demand grant of Rs 25,00,34,000 which relate to Land Revenue; Stamp and Registration and District Administration; Sales Tax, Other Tax Duties on Commodities and Services was passed without any hiccup.

During the discussion of the demands, the Opposition put up a policy cut and token cut of Re 1 from the proposed grant of the Finance Department and a cut of Rs 100 for Land Revenue and Sales Tax.

Giving his reply to the various demands put up for discussion, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who is also in charge of Finance Department said that in view of the poor fiscal condition of the State, the Government is planning to put up a Bill to stop irregular appointment in the next session of the Assembly.

DP has already approved the Bill and it is being referred to the Law Department for its approval for tabling in the House.

The report of the State Finance Commission formed to find out ways and means of improving the financial condition of the State has also been submitted to the Government, he said.

While asserting that his Government has been taking up resource mobilization drives in full swing, Ibobi said that strict instruction have also been issued to all, the Departments concerned to carry out the resource mobilization works properly and efficiently as the size of the State Plan depends on the income generated from its own available resources.

Countering the charges of alleged financial mismanagement leveled against his Ministry by the Opposition, the Chief Minister reiterated that there is no financial mismanagement and his Government has been trying its best to give salaries to the employees in time besides taking up other development works.

Enumerating his points, the Chief Minister further said that his Government is trying to rope in financial institutions at the international level For funding to take up various developmental activities in the State by preparing economic viable projects.

Indian Government would be the guarantor of these projects, he said.

He further asserted that his Government is has started implementing the MoU signed between the State Government and the Union Finance Ministry and effort are being made to reflect in the 12th Finance Commission for filling up the existing gap in the non-plan expenditure.

Taxation Minister Francis Ngajokppa asserted that his department has managed to collect large amount of revenue inspite of the fact that it has very few employees.