Imphal, May 15: To prevent power theft and loss of power during transmission, underground cables would be laid in three valley districts including Greater Imphal area and ensure installation of power metres in all the households of Greater Imphal are, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh informed the House today.

In his response to the discussion on the Demands for Grants of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary including Dairy Farming, Power, Social Welfare, Tourism and Relief and Disaster Management during the Assembly session today, Chief Minister O Ibobi who is also in charge of Power, informed that tenders have been issued for laying the underground cables.

The first phase of the work would be taken up in three valley districts including Greater Imphal area, he added.

To prevent power theft and to book the culprits, formation of a Power Task Force has been specially included in The Electricity (Manipur Amendment ) Bill, 2007 which is proposed to be introduced in the current session of the Assembly, the Chief Minister disclosed.

Besides, appointment of two Magistrates and setting up of a separate police station to deal with power theft have also been proposed in the Bill, he said.

The Chief Minister said that out of the total power requirements of 80 megawatts during the day and night time in Manipur, only 30 to 40 megawatt are available and out of the total requirements of 150 megawatt during peak hour in the night, only 50 to 60 megawatts are being received.

One of the main reasons for the power crisis in Manipur is the non-availability of adequate water resources to generate power by private undertaking corporations , he explained.

While informing the House that the Power Department is yet to clear a due amount of Rs 8 crores to the Power Corporations, the Chief Minister observed that States concerned cannot procure more than their respective shares of allotted power.

But if at all a State wants to purchase more power than it has to pay a higher rate.

This would not be possible at the tax rate being collected in Manipur.

Under the initiative of the Government of India, target is being kept not only for electrification of all the villages in Manipur but also to provide electricity to all BPL families by 2009.Along with the preparation to start construction of Loktak Downstream Power Project at an estimated cost of Rs 867.77 crores, survey work for setting up power projects on Irang and Tuivai rivers are underway, the Chief Minister said.

On Social Welfare Department, the Chief Minister disclosed investigation is being carried out to find out possible lapses in the DPC conducted for the posts of supervisors, LDC and some other posts before the last Assembly election.

If any lapses have been detected, then the whole procedure would be reviewed, he assured.

He also appealed to all the MLAs for extending their co-operation to the Government in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Anganwadi centres.

The Chief Minister further informed that the amount of the National Old Age Pension has been increased from Rs 75 to Rs 200.The distribution of the pension amount would be facilitated through bank or post office from the current year.

Efforts would also be made to rectify any discrepancies in disbursement of the pension, he assured.

Giving clarification on issues raised in connection with the Veterinary Department, the Chief Minister said artificial insemination is being carried out with semen procured from outside Manipur.

Plans are also afoot to increase the quantity of milk production from Porompat Diary Farming to 10,000 litre daily and made the same available to the people at Imphal markets.

A mini-dairy plan would be set up at Senapati during the current year.

Similar plans would also be set up at Ukhrul and Churachandpur districts in subsequent years.

Arrangements have been made for filling up around 28 vacant posts including that of the Director of the Department through MPSC.

Participating in the discussion of the demands, Dr Khasim Ruivah pointed out that no transformer have been installed in the remote hill area even if the power lines have been connected, thereby causing lot of inconveniences to the people living ion those places.

The State Government should pay attention to development of ecotourism in the remote areas to augment the income of the State, he said, while urging for taking up necessary measures to conserve Siroy Lily from extinction.

O Joy complained that Anganwadi centres are not functioning properly as the requisite food items are not provided.

Alleging that the DPC conducted for some appointment of posts including supervisors in the Social Welfare Dept was in violation of the rules, Joy demanded cancellation of the DPC and also urged for keeping 3 percent reservation for handicapped persons.

RK Anand pointed out that without putting a check on construction of many high-rise building in Imphal area without maintaining quality, it might led to a great disaster during earthquake.

Th Shyamsunder said consumers should be encourage inculcate the habit of paying of their due power taxes.

Old Age pension is not received by those who really deserved it and similarly so with the rice shares under the Annapurna Scheme and Indira Awaz Yojana, he alleged.

If the benefits of the poor people are being usurped by the undergrounds then it then it should be fight against and if any officials are involved then they should be punished, he said, adding that to blame the undergrounds for everything is not right.

Morung Makunga, Radhabinod Koijam and Dr I Ibohalbi were also present during the discussion on Demands for Grant.

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