Imphal, February 27: The State Assembly today unanimously passed the Demands for Supplementary Grants for the current fiscal year, 2005-06 amounting to Rs 539.38 crores.

In his response to the discussion on the demands, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who is also in charge of the Home Department informed the House that the DGP has been asked to submit a proposal on providing special training to police commandos to fight the militants.

Proposing passing the Demands for Supplementary Grants which encompasses 44 Demands and 2 Appropriations, the Chief Minister who is also in charge of the Finance portfolio pointed out that there has been a disparity between the total amount granted for utilisation till March 31 and the amount of the original budgets of various Departments.

During the course of discussion, the Opposition charged the Government with failure in maintaining law and order as well as on the intelligence of its police force and cited the instances of the killings of IGP (Intelligence) and OC of Thoubal Police Commandos by militants.

The Chief Minister replied that DGP has been instructed to submit a proposal to impart special training to police personnel to fight the militants effectively and to enhance their efficiency in providing security to the VIPs and VVIPs.

Expressing doubt over the self security measures taken by IGP Thangthuam and OC Lokhon, Ibobi disclosed that Thangthuam was returning to Imphal after an unofficial visit to his native village when the unfortunate incident took place and there was no communication with the SP of Bishnupur for any ROP.

Concerning Lokhon, he noted that he had been on the hitlist of UGs but on the fateful day, he went for his duty without his two escort vehicles.

Moreover he and his escort party were together in the Gypsy instead of dispersing around as is always done while discharging police duty, added Ibobi.

Remarking that other than Chandel and Churachandpur, law and order situation in all other hill districts have improved considerably, Ibobi informed that he no longer interferes with the transfer and posting of police officers in the seven assembly segments from where the AFSPA 1958 have been repealed.

Clarifying on the various allegations concerning financial matters, Ibobi disclosed that a major share of the Supplement Demands would be utilised in the payment of employees arrears, DA, permitted liabilities of different departments and in the contribution of State's share for central sponsored schemes.

While intimating the authority concerned to take up stringent actions against State employees particularly of Health and Education posted in hill districts but absent from the designated locations, the Chief Minister assured that quarters for employees posted in hill districts would be constructed in war footing and a scheme for such a project has been finalised.

Expressing serious concern over the impediments caused by certain sections in the development works, Ibobi sought cooperation from the MLAs and MPs in the maintenance of quality and pace for all development works.

Requisite store materials for the Engineering Departments would be procured during March-May to ensure completion of renovation and repairing works including roads before the onset of rainy season, he mentioned.

Joining the discussion, Works Minister, Th Debendra disclosed that necessary quantity of bitumen for the State for this year would be procured from IOC and Hindustan Petroleum.

Negotiation is in progress for the allotment of contract work regarding the renovation of Pallel-Chandel road, added Debendra.

To a query of O Joy concerning non deposition of materials after the due amount has been withdrawn for a supply work in Power Department, Power Minister Gaikhangam admitted that there have been some such cases but notice has been served to concerned party to collect the due materials within a specified period and to initiate legal actions if the concerned party fails to supply the materials.

Taking part in the supplementary demands deliberations, O Joy, M Nillachandra, M Bhorot, Dr Nimaichand, BD Behring and E Biren noted that law and order situation has deteriorated to the worst and intelligence machinery has failed totally.

They also alleged that Power Department has been purchasing profitable materials rather than requisite materials.

While maintaining that if the plan amounts are utilised properly, the State would make great stride as as far as infrastructure development is concerned, they ridiculed the additional demand made by the Power Department even as the amount sanctioned in the previous fiscal year still remains unutilised.

The MLAs called upon the Govt to cancel their quota of kerosene, sugar, rice etc for they can't ensure regular supply of these commodities and observed that Government doctors have thrown away ethics in their pursuit for wealth which is the predominant factor behind the deterioration of State hospitals day by day while the private clinics are developing by leaps and bounds.

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