Th Debendra appointed chief whip CLP bats for saving agricultural land
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 09 2014: Taking serious note of the fast shrinking agricultural land in the State, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) held a meeting today and after minute deliberation re-solved to protect agricultural land.

The meeting which began at 4 pm was participated by majority of the Congress MLAs and shrinking agricultural land was the primary agenda, informed a source.

A number of concerned civil organisations have been vociferously demanding protection of agricultural lands since the past couple of years.

Despite the intermittent campaign to save agricultural land, many schools were constructed while several hec- tares of paddy fields have been converted into brick farms.

In some areas, paddy fields have been turned into human settlements.

Th Debendra appointed chief whip CLP bats for saving agricultural land

The meeting deliberated at length on the nature and pace of transforming paddy fields into brick farms, schools, colleges, etc, etc.

The MLAs also tabled and discussed the provisions of the Manipur Land Records and Land Revenue (MLR&LR) Act and they agreed to amend certain sections of the Act.

Even though the Act provides for preservation of agricultural land, it has no provision regarding punishment when agricultural lands are transformed into something else.

This flaw in the MLR&LR Act was also deliberated during the meeting.

After noting that MLR&LR Act has no clear provision to protect agricultural land, the meeting agreed to amend the Act so that substantial amounts can be imposed as fine as so to deter transformation of paddy fields.

The meeting also talked about holding another CLP meeting on July 12 so as to take a definite decision.

If necessary, the Government may table a Bill and amend the MLR&LR Act during the Assembly session which begins from July 11 .

Another agenda which figured prominently at the meeting was appointment of the Government's chief whip.

The matter of appointment of chief whip figured prominently in view of the vociferous demand for Ministry reshuffle, the need to pass funds for different departments during the Assembly session and the impending debates on different issues at the State Assembly.

The CLP meeting later came to the decision of appointing Revenue and Law Minister Th Debendra as the Government's chief whip.

However, the demand for Ministry reshuffle was avoided by the meeting.