Imphal, July 10 2009: After due deliberation, the State Assembly today passed three separate demands amounting to Rs 1,44,08,87,000 for the fiscal year 2009-2010 .

The demands are Demand no.IV which relates to Land Revenue, Stamps & Registration and District Administration with a total amount of Rs 39,23,14,000; Demand no.VIII which relates to Works Department with an amount of Rs 2,95,65,19,000 and Demand no.26 relating to Administration of Justice with Rs 9,20,54,000 .

The leader of the House, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh moved these demands for discussion in the House while from the side of the Opposition Radhabinod Koijam, O Joy, Dr Ng Bijoy, Dr I Ibohalbi and RK Anand raised cut motions.

During the discussion of the demands, Radhabinod Koijam alleged that the Works Department does not consult the representatives of the people at the time of formulating the need-based programmes and suggested that more attention should be paid on maintenance aspects, make the officials more work oriented and to prepare a seniority list of the department.

MLA Dr I Ibohalbi demanded to know who gave the technical sanction for re viewing grant of sub-contract as well as at the time of allocating works to the agencies like the Police Housing Corporation, Manipur Development Society, etc.

MLA RK Anand pressed for producing a white paper inclusive of the department wise allocation in view of the allegation that no fund are being provided for development activities in the hills.

MLA Morung Makunga, while favouring implementation of MLR Act in the hill districts as well, explained that the reservation against implementation of the Act in the hill districts has nothing to do with the fear of valley people invading the hill areas but influx of outsiders who are skilled in agricultural farming that may even ultimately become potential vote votes.

Opposition MLAs V Hangkhalian and Dr Khasim Ruivah also participated in the discussion.

In his response to the issues raised by the Opposition members, Works Minister K Ranjit informed the House that the Centre has redirected the State Government for maintenance and improvement of the National Highways which are lifeline of the people of the State along with giving assurance on sanctioning the required fund.

He said that construction of the High Court complex would be completed by May next year and the Assembly complex in March nest year.

He also said construction work of the Manipur Bhavan at Guwahati is ongoing on at an estimated cost around Rs 14.66 crores and site inspection for construction of another Manipur Bhavan at Shillong would be carried out after the end of the current Assembly session.

The case of Manipur Bhavan at Kolkata has been resolved and construction work on the proposed multi-storeyed Bhavan which would have seven floors excluding the ground floor would begin from the current fiscal year, the Minister said, adding that ongoing renovation work of Tikendrajit Bhavan at Delhi would be completed by August this year.

The Minister furthermore informed the House that necessary steps have been taken up for preparing a seniority list of the employees in the Works Department, to black list those contractors who do not control the quality of the work and to punish the engineers who withdraw fund without executing the work under Liability Act.

To solve the problem of traffic congestion in Imphal city, efforts are being made to for urban by-pass transport system and corrective measures would be taken up in connection with grant of sub-contract works, the Minister assured the House.

Revenue Minister Thoudam Debendra informed that plans are afoot for introduction of land record system in the hill districts and clarified that the Deputy Commissioners appear to be efficient as they also have to look after the works of various other Departments besides Revenue.

The problem faced in last 3-4 years due to lack of SDOs has been taken care off after recruitment of 38 SDCs and their utilisation.

To bring about more efficiency in district administration, offices of SDO/SDCs have been constructed along with sanctioning of Rs 35 crores under the Additional Central Assistance, Debendra said.

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