Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 15:
Forest Minister Th Debendra of Jiribam AC has stated that MLA N Biren Singh of Heingang is still holding the post of Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board.
The Minister cited essentials of holding the post as 'a person having special knowledge or practical experience on environmental protection or a person with administrative knowledge and experience in institutions dealing with such matter'.
The Minister replying to queries from MPP's RK Anand during question hour in the assembly session today further conveyed that the Board is devoid of any equipment to detect arsenic content in underground water while adding that the machine costs about Rs 20 lakhs.
He also stated that the Govt is has not initiated any processes regarding termination of nursing homes, clinics and hospitals not adhering to regulations of BioMedical Waste (Management of Handling) Rules 1998.informing that cancellation of licence is the prerogative of Medical Department, he further confided that the Board had kept in abeyance authorisation of licence to 15 nursing homes for non compliance to prescribed rules.
To another query from Independent MLA Morung Makunga, he said number of rubber plants planted so far under the State Forest Department stands at 1.2 lakh out of which Rs 33.90 lakhs could be added to the State exchequer as revenue from tapping of sap in between 1986-87 to 1999.Debendra also regretted that due to improper maintenance of rubber plants possibility of generating higher income is being impeded.