Imphal, March 12: Chief Minister O Ibobi has said that there is the need to re-examine the Manipuri script to avoid further confusion in its usage.

Replying to a call attention motion moved by Opposition members S Ibohal and O Joy in the Assembly today, the Chief Minister said there is the need to re-examine the Manipuri script so that the fracas like the one over the alleged inscription of unrecognized Manipuri script on the foundation stone of the Bir Tikendrajit fly over does not recur.

Setting the record straight, the Chief Minister said that his statement does not imply that recognizing the 27 script is wrong.

The 36 character script used on the fly over was not done with the intention of implying that the 36 character script is right, added the Chief Minister.

The Manipuri script was inscribed on the foundation stone with the sole intention of adorning the stone with the indigenous script of the people said the Chief Minister and added that was the reason why the Government consulted Padmashree N Khelchandra.

There was no intention whatsoever to create any confusion, he added.

O Ibobi however said the differences could have been ironed out maturely and added that it is unfortunate that the foundation stone was destroyed.

He also expressed apprehension that the fracas over the use of Manipuri script may throw a spanner on the construction of the fly over itself.

Joining in the discussion, MAHUD Minister L Nandakumar admitted that he was unaware of the differences between the two schools of thought.

The script was inscribed on the foundation stone with the sole intention of show casing the Manipuri script to the outside world, he added.

Moving the call attention motion, O Joy and S Ibohal expressed regret over the destruction of the foundation stone.

They also questioned why the Government overlooked to use the recognized 27 character script which was approved by the State Government in 1978 and adopted in 1983.The two Opposition MLAs also said that destroying the foundation stone amounted to not respecting the Manipuri script and questioned what the police were doing while the foundation stone was bring desecrated.

Replying to another call attention motion moved by Dr Nimaichand Luwang in connection with the axing of 73 Home Guard personnel, the Chief Minister said that an inquiry is underway to better the functioning of the Home Guard.

The Chief Minister said 2350 Home Guards were found appointed against the available 2000 vacant posts.

This came to light when complaints came in that the personnel had not received their pay for 3/4 months.

When the Government probed whether the inducted personnel were being used for duty, no formal records were found.

For these discrepancies CO Ngaraipam was placed under suspension, informed the Chief Minister.

A number of terms and conditions will also be implemented to make the Home Guards more effective.

Question hour: There are in all 36 kerosene dealers in Manipur and the total quota of kerosene is reserved for the State is 2234 KL.

The district-wise quota is worked out as Imphal East- 280 KL, Imphal West 326 KL, Thoubal-330 KL, Bishnupur-160 KL, Senapati-140 KL, ADC/Kangpokpi-166 KL, Ukhrul-174 Kl, Tamenglong-120 KL, Chandel-134 KL, Churachandpur-204 KL, and PCS Department-200 KL.

The quantity of kerosene allotted to the dealers is between the range of 10 Kl and 150 Kl.

These informations were provided by FCS Minister Ph Parijat replying to a question raised up by M Nilachandra on the floor of the House.

Bamboo flowering: State Government is deliberating upon the measures to be taken up to combat the problem of bamboo flowering in Tamenglong district.

Forest Minister C Doungel stated this replying to a question of S Ibohal Singh during the Question Hour.

Flood relief: Replying to N Sobhakiran's question.

Chief Minister O Ibobi asserted that his Government had provided all possible relief materials including rice, pulses, salt, etc to the victims of the recent devastating flood without any categorization.

Tourism: Tourism Minister C Doungel informed the House that fourteen cases related to Tourism development in the State could not be taken up in time following non-release of fund by the Finance Department due to fund crunch.

These are construction of tourist home/centre at Bohiyang, Khuga dam, Thoubal dam, Kachai, Dolaithabi, Langol, Wangoi and Nungbi, renovation of Hotel Imphal, construction of tourist recreation facilities, gallery and platform at Thangjing temple, base camp of Koubru Leikha museum and expansion of State Museum.

Doungel was replying to a question put up by BD Behring.

Leather export: Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Minister Y Mani today informed the House that there are businessmen who are dealing in export of leather goods with due permission issued by the State Directorate of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry.

Three percent of the total value of the leathers being exported is charge as taxes from each truckload and it comes somewhere between Rs 1177 to Rs2010 and the total income accrued to the State Coffer, depending on the amount exported in a year stands is somewhere between Rs 1177 to Rs 7608.