Imphal, July 22: Higher Education Minister T Nabadwip today assured the House that appropriate action would be initiated against former principal of Lamka College, Churachandpur Pudaite who has been transferred as the principal of Lilong Haoreibi College.

Replying to a question of Langthabal A/C MLA O Joy Singh, Higher Education Minister said that Pudaite is alleged to have used fake certificate with forged signature and office seal of Executive Engineer and Section Officer of PWD, Churachandpur, M/S Kunjabi and Co, and Chartered Accountants while submitting the completion report of construction of Women's Hostel, at Lamka College to the University Grant Commission (UGC).

The permanent affiliation of the college to Manipur University has been withdrawn, but care has been taken so that the academic careers of the students are not affected by giving temporary affiliation, Nabadwip said.

But Joy took strong exception to it and wondered why the affiliation of the college should be withdrawn when it is the college principal who was involved in the financial bungling.

Transferring him to another college is not taking action on him.

Joy contended and wanted to know, what further actions are to be initiated against Pudaite.

The Minister replied and said that over and above the ongoing departmental inquiry.

Vigilance is also taking up a case on the matter.

Appropriate actions would be initiated against the principal after the enquiry reports are submitted, Nabadwip assured the House.

Even if the permanent affiliation of the college has been withdrawn, Manipur University would ensure proper functioning of the college, he added.

Tamenglong DIET Centre: The site of setting up of District Institute of Education Training Centre (DIET) for Tamenglong district has been shifted from its headquarters to Tamei as there.

were no donor to come forward for donation of land for the purpose, SCERT Minister Z Mangaibou Said replying to a question by Tamenglong A/C MLA Samuel Jendai.

Jendai asked the Minister to furnish reasons for shifting of the DIET Centre, Tamenglong to Tamei and wanted to know whether Cabinet decision was taken for shifting the said centre.

Jendai contended that the reply of the Minister was to mislead the House.

He asserted that the Minister had willfully shifted the site ignoring donation of 5 acres of land for setting up the centre at Digailung in Tamenglong headquarters, to which the Minister retorted by informing the House that Rs 2.5 lakhs had been demanded by the person as land compensation.

No Cabinet decision had been taken up in connection with shifting of the site for DIET centre, but it had been decided to set up the centre at Tamei in the interest of the State, as the Central Government has asked for returning the amount of Rs 55 lakhs released five years back for purpose, if the work could not be implemented.

Minister said, adding that it is not compulsory for the DIET centre to be set up at the district headquarters only.

Flood damage: Replying to a question posed by Wangkhem A/C MLA Dr Nimaichand Luwang, Agriculture Minister K Ranjit informed that House that altogether 35,307.44 hectares of paddy cultivated land were affected in the flood occurred in August last year.

The total loss in production was 1,21,378 MT of clean rice and the estimated loss in monetary value was Rs 145.65 crores at the rate of Rs 12 kg, the Minister said.

Replying to a supplementary question, Agriculture Minister further informed the House that a contingency crop production plan to be implemented during Rabi 2002-03 was proposed to the Government of India through the State Relief Department to compensate the loss suffered by the farmers but it could not be implemented as the Centre did not release any fund.

To another question raised by Keishamthong A/C MLA L Ibomcha, Ranjit said that subsidies on purchase on tractors and power tillers are being given to farmers under Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Integrated Cereal Development Programme (ICDP) and Farm Mechanization under the Macro Management Mode of Agriculture.

The provisions available during the current year are 10 tractors and 47 power tillers, and the Government is giving 30 percent subsidy in both.

Minister disclosed.

Vacant posts of teachers: There are 913 vacant posts of graduate teachers and 1885 under graduate posts.

But as of now the State Government has no plan for making appointment to fill up these posts, Minister of State for Education (S) L Radhakishore stated replying to a question asked by Heirok A/C MLA N Sovakiran.

DRDA: Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Minister N Loken today informed the House that except for DRDAs of Bishnupur and Ukhrul, the selection/appointment of its staff other DRDAs is being done as per approved guidelines of DRDA administration.

Investigation is also going on by the State Vigilance in respect of Bishnupur on the direction of the House Committee.