Imphal, July 24 2009: The Manipur Assembly has today passed a voice vote on Public Distribution System (PDS) and Power departments during a demand discussion in the ongoing Assembly session.

Moving the economy cut motion, MLA Dr Ng Bijoy said that the Power department, being one of the most important departments for development is inoperative while asking whether the department is never doing its works.

He also said that the PDS department has a great role to play against the backdrop of the ever increasing price of rice in the state.

He also enquired whether the PDS rice for the month of June has been distributed by the department.

Moving the token cut motion, MLA O Joy said that the Power department is not maintaining proper management.

He also raised as to whom the VIP lines are given while also pointing out that a 'transformer war' is being waged.

Participating in the discussion, MLA Shyamkumar said that the officials in the power department are not executing their duties.

He said there are some who think that collecting taxes is their only duty.

He also said there is no policy to disconnect the illegal consumers.

MLA Morung Makunga said that the power department has failed to provide power in the hills even for five days during Christmas times.

He also asked whether the VIP line is meant exclusively for the non-locals in Imphal area.

He also urged to change the 'VIP line' to either 'Super Line' or 'Special Line'.

MLA Dr I Bohalbi pointed out that the undergrounds have deducted 50 percent on PDS rice and 25 percent on kerosene.

He urged for the formulation of a new mechanism.

MLAs like L Nandakumar, Radhbinod Koijam, N Mangi, have also participated in the discussion.

Clarifying the motions, Consumer Affairs, Food and PDS Minister Y Erabot said that the department has only 32/33 staffs.

The economic blockades, extortions, lost of vehicles, etc have disadvantaged the functioning of the department.

The officers are even able to sit in the department's office.

He said the issuance of ration cards has been done by respective district level selection committees.

Even as the state is declared as drought hit, the quota from the Central government will be the same.

Answering back the clarification of the Minister, MLA Ng Bijoy asked why the PDS quota of rice for June has been not distributed to the people.

He said when the office is being approached there is no staff.

MLA Shyamkumar demanded the Minister to resign even if the department is not been able to open its office.

The intervention of the Speaker calmed down the heated debate that ensued between members of the opposition bench and the treasury bench.

Clarifying the motions, Power Minister T Phungzathang said that it is equally important to pay tax as power is important in developmental works.

He said the power shortage will be solved after upgrading all the transmission lines.

He said the cooperation of the people is needed in all developmental fronts.

He said the government is planning a joint venture with the DoNER on Loktak Downstream project.

Another debate between the opposition members and the ruling members ensued.

The Speaker intervened to calm down.

The members later passed budgets amount of Rs 11,59,31,000 for PDS department, Rs 337,31,84,000 for Power department and Rs 3, 65,15,000 for Stationery and Printing department on voice vote.

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