Imphal, May 21: Along with appealing to All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) to call off its economic blockade on the two National Highways since most of the demands of the student body have been considered, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today informed the Assembly that the National Highway Authority of India has started the survey work for upgrading NH-39 from Mao to Imphal to four-lane.

Giving his response to the discussion on passing the Demands for Supplementary Grants (Plan), 2007-08 which amounts to Rs 588.59 crores for 30 different Demands in the Assembly today, the Chief Minister maintained that most of the demands of ATSUM have been fulfilled and the Government is considering to grant the backlog reservation for SC/ST as well.

The Chief Minister asserted that the 100 point roster system had been followed in the DPC conducted for Education Department.

After the detection of six backlog in the recent appointment of graduate teachers, instructions have also been given for selecting six candidates from among the waiting list and to issue an order in this connection very soon.

Since the demand for decentralisation of Tribal Development Department, which is one of the main demands of ATSUM has been approved by the Government and efforts are being made for getting the concurrence of the Finance Department for implementation of the same at the district level, the Chief Minister appealed to the agitating student body to call off its economic blockade.

Clarifying on the charges of the Opposition on the alleged irregularities in the budget of Power and the Works Department, the Chief Minister assured it would be looked into for necessary correction.

The delay in repairing of the roads in Thangal Bazar and Paona Bazar is due to undue interference from various quarters, he said, adding that even then efforts are being made to complete the work at the earliest possible.

The Chief Minister assured that the Govt would look into the left out cases of giving housing loan to the Govt employees by the PDA.

Arrangements have been made for filling up the vacant post of the Director of Veterinary Dept through MPSC.

Steps have been taken up for construction of residential quarters for doctors, staff nurses and teachers posted in the hill districts with funding from SPA apart from keeping aside the major portion of fund for the hill districts.

Over and above the instruction for booking the required materials of the PWD after proper planning, advanced booking for 2500 matric tonnes of bitumen have been already been made, the Chief Minister said.

Participating in the discussion for supplementary grant, firebrand Opposition MLA O Joy pointed out that due attention should be given to the Government offices which do not have its own building and land at the time of development of administrative infrastructures under SPA funding.

Fund sanctioned for the development of the hill area should be utilised properly so that the benefits can be enjoyed by the people living there.

On getting any information on withdrawal of fund without executing the work, the Opposition members would go to the area to inspect along with mediapersons, Joy stated categorically and appealed to the Government for co-operation in such cases.

Dr Ng Bijoy drew the attention of the Govt for intervention on matter the related to non-clearance of SBI inspite having given clearance by the RBI for development of Agri Clinic and Agri Business.

Morung Makung exerted pressures on the Govt for construction of residential quarters of the doctors and the teachers posted in the hills and improvement of the road communication system.

Dr Khasim Ruivah urged for consulting the local MLAs concerned at the time of taking up developmental work in the hill areas.

Dr I Ibohalbi observed that the Govt should find out why the teachers working in Government schools are sending their children to private schools.

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