House deliberates, passes motion of thanks
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 11 2013: After due deliberation, the motion of thanks on the Governor's address delivered during the 4th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly on March 6 last has been passed by the State Legislative Assembly today.

Ruling MLAs L Nanda-kumar and Dr Ng Bijoy initiated the deliberation by raising a motion of thanks to the Governor's address.

Taking part in the discussion, Opposition leader Dr I Ibohalbi remarked that the Governor's address has no vision and the whole text needs editing.

As reflected in the Governor's address, the State Government is not clear about its plans and policies for tourism sector in spite of the potential for earning State resources.

The whole text did not mention anything about the Government's committed effort to check crimes against women and children and tackle the institutionalised practice of corruption.

The Governor's address would be appreciated by one and all if it reflected the Government's desire to bring some positive changes in the State, Ibohalbi stated.

Quoting the Governor's address which claimed that 4250 hectares of land have been afforested, MLA Kh Joykishan remarked that it did mention clearly where afforestation has been carried out.

Decrying that the Governor's address does not contain a single word about prevention of drug trafficking, Joykishan proposed amendment of the Governor's address.

MLA Th Shyamkumar and MLA Lisom Ibomcha also took part in the discussion.

Chief Minister O Ibobi clarified that there were missing parts in the Governor's address as it would be too voluminous and it is not the norm to mention all the activities and plans of different departments.

Manipur's GDP grew by seven per cent during the last five years.

Manipur has been acknowledged for its productivity among the smaller States of India.

To check further shrinkage of agricultural land, the Government has been working to formulate an agricultural land use policy, Ibobi stated.

The State Government is also working to develop a timber park near Pallel and one international market near Moreh in tandem with the Government of India's Look East Policy.

Although there is much shortage of specialist doctors in the State, the Government is actively considering to take up all possible measures so as to ensure health care service to hill people.

The Government is also considering to send medical teams to all hill districts once a month to provide health care service including gynaecology service until the 50-bedded hospitals being constructed in the hill district headquarters are completed.

As for drug trafficking, the Government is examining legal possibilities of forfeiting properties of drug smugglers apart from convicting them.

The State Government is also exploring ways and means of providing a source of income to surrendered UG cadres, Ibobi stated while appealing to all opposition parties and civil society organisations to help in convincing the remaining UG cadres to come back to mainstream.

Claiming that the Government is in search of a mechanism which can effectively check corruption, the Chief Minister appealed to the opposition members to help the Government in devising such a mechanism.

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