Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 22 2009:
The Manipur Assembly has passed over Rs 376 crore budgets today relating to Fisheries, Irrigation and Flood Control, Social Welfare, and Relief and Disaster Management departments.
Moving the policy cut and token cut motions, opposition MLA O Joy asked why the government is not providing reliefs to flood affected people last year while bamboo flowering affected people were provided reliefs.
He also asked what the government had done for the 1268 muster rolls in the IFCD whose cases have been pending since 1977 .
MPP MLA Dr Ng Bijoy said that the Thoubal Multipurpose project will not be able to generate power though huge amount has already been spent on the project.
MLA RK Anand urged the government to take up precautionary measures against earthquake as scientists have observed that Northeastern states are earthquake prone areas.
Dr Khasim Ruivah also urged for the setting up of fisheries farms in hill areas.
Clarifying the motions, Chief Minister O Ibobi, who is also in-charge of Relief and Disaster Management, said that flood affected people have been compensated equitably.
He said the government has been providing assistance according to the lists provided by respective DCs.
He said a total of Rs 18.87 lakh has been spent on reliefs for the year 2008-09.It is also planning to spend another Rs 17.38 .
O Ibobi said there is a Disaster Management Institute in case there is a natural calamity.
He said 720 personnel of Civil Defence have also been provided training.
Fisheries Minister Md.Alauddin said there has been demand of around 25 metric tons of fish in the state in a year.
Against this, the state has been producing 18 metric tons of fish in a year.
He said there is a plan to spend Rs 35 crore on fishermen in order to increase the production of fish.
Social Welfare Minister, N Loken said the supervisors of the Social Welfare department are looking after the Anganwadi centres in the state.
He said there is no godown for Annapurna rice while also assuring to look into the matter of non distribution of Annapurna rice.
IFCD Minister N Biren said that unless the medium and major projects are completed, the department will not be able to provide water to the people.
He said, though most of the projects are at the last stage, there are some works to be done for the completion.
He also assured to fill earthen soils on the retaining walls which were constructed along the rivers.
The government is also planning to acquire two machines for use in dredging the rivers.
The minister also said that the Supreme Court has banned the recruitment of muster rolls of the IFCD.