Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 07:
There is no specific policy or programme for the State Government to rehabilitate or provide treatment to drug abusers.
However, there is a provision of some amounts for conducting awareness programmes, stated Social Welfare Minister N Loken in responding to a query raised by MLA RK Anand in the State Assembly today.
But 21 NGOs are running rehabilitation camps for drug abusers under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 21 NGOs.
The Ministry extends direct funding to the NGOs recommended by the Social Welfare Department, explained Loken.
Responding to T Hangkhanpao, Works Minister K Ranjit informed that roads and bridges between Singhat and Beihang under Singhat Assembly constituency are being constructed/repaired.
With Rs 2.50 crores allocated in 2006-07 fiscal, three contractors are currently engaged in the repairing/construction works.
Black topping of the roads will be completed by April this year.
As for the road reaching up to Beihang, development work will commence from next year, stated Ranjit.
Construction work of the bridge over Maklang river across Phungyar and Kamjong was taken up in 1997-98 under BMS programme.
Later, the bridge construction work was handed over to the Manipur State Rural Road Development Agency.
But the Agency refused to take over the work.
Coupled with paucity of fund, the bridge still remains incomplete, said the Works Minister in response to a question raised by MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing.
Nevertheless, Ranjit assured that he will look for some available fund sources/heads under which the bridge can be completed.
Answering to a query put up by N Mangi, IFC Minister N Biren informed the House that the IFCD has 60 sanctioned posts of Executive Engineers including 45 regular posts.
Against the existing seven aided colleges, the total number of approved posts is 118. But there is no provision for extending pension benefits to the teachers of these aided colleges, clarified Education Minister L Jayantakumar while answering to a question by MLA U Deben.
To a query of Morung Makunga, Commerce and Industries Minister Y Erabot stated that 22 items are being traded between India and Myanmar through the border town of Moreh under the Indo-Myanmar Border Trade Agreement.
As for the export items included in the trade agreement, the Union Government did the selection and the State Government was only assisting the union Government, Erabot elaborated.
Against 56 students of Maram Aided High School, there are three teachers.
In Gelnel High School, the figure stands at 344 students to seven teachers, 13 teachers for 481 students in T Waichong Junior High School and seven teachers for 238 students in Chalwa Junior High School.
To fill up the required posts of teachers, the State Government is working on formulating a staff pattern policy.
At present, there is no plan to upgrade Maram High School, T Waichong School and Chalwa School to full fledged Govt schools, disclosed Jayantakumar.
On the other hand, IFC Minister N Biren stated that the Government has plans to reinforce depressed and vulnerable portions of Imphal river bank in Wangoi A/C with earth filling and protection walls.
Responding to a query by S Joy, Biren informed that the river bank reinforcement work will be taken up before the onset of monsoon season under State Flood Control Plan of 2008-09 fiscal.
Answering to Ngursanglur, Transport Minister Jayantakumar stated there is no water transport policy as yet to issue registration numbers to motor boat service operators in the State.
Yet, he assured the House that a committee will be constituted to look into the feasibility of issuing registration numbers to motor boats.