First session of 10th Assembly starts off on a sombre tone
Governor's address takes a hard, sincere look at financial stress caused by implementation of 6th Pay Commission
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 19 2012: Governor Gurbachan Jagat has conceded that the State Government is under severe financial stress following implementation of the 6th Pay Commission's recommendations.

Giving the customary speech at the opening session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today, the Governor stated that under-assessment of the State's Non-Plan requirements by the 13th Finance Commission further contributed to the financial constraints.

The Government would continue to urge the Government of India to provide additional resources to make up for the shortfall in the 13th Finance Commission's award.

To partially augment the State's resources, the State Government has implemented a number of additional resource mobilization measures and fiscal reforms, the most notable being introduction of e-payment system.

Talking about law and order, Governor Gurbachan stated that his Government has extended the tripartite agreement with KCP-MC (Lallumba Group) for one more year as well as the SoO pact with Kuki UG groups under KNO and UPF.

Approximately, 1500 cadres have been shifted to 11 designated camps.

The Governor arriving to address the House on the opening day of the session

Reminding that the Ministry of Home Affairs has relaxed PAP regime by one more year, the Governor exuded that this policy initiative is expected to bring about a quantum increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting Manipur.

Taking serious note of the shortfall in power supply, the State Government has decided to take part in the North East Transmission Company for construction of the 400 KV D/C Pallatana-Silchar-Bongaigaon trunk transmission system for evacuation of power from the Pallatana and Bongaigaon Thermal Power Projects.

The State would receive 42 MW and 40 MW of power respectively when these projects go on stream.

Moreover, the 400 KV double circuit line from Silchar to Imphal being constructed by PGCIL would be commissioned during 2013, the Governor stated.

An MoU has been signed between Indira Gandhi National Open University and the Jail Department for providing appropriate education facilities to the jail inmates by opening an IGNOU Study Centre.

In 2011-12, 826 Self Help Groups were assisted with an expenditure of Rs 510 lakhs.

During the same year, 6552 families were provided houses under the Indira Awas Yojana with an expenditure of Rs 1517.84 lakhs.

With regard to tribal affairs and hill areas, the State Government has taken forward the process of devolution of powers to the District Councils by transferring 50 per cent of the allocations of the Tribal Affairs Department under different schemes to the six District Councils.

During 2011-12, an amount of Rs 43.57 crores under Tribal Affairs and Rs 106.75 crores under Hills Department are being utilized for various developmental schemes in the hill areas.

The Governor also mentioned about construction of a tribal market at New Lambulane.

On the education sector, the Governor informed the House that the State Government is working to establish 535 new Primary Schools and upgrade 185 Primary Schools to Upper Primary level under the RTE mandate.

Moreover, 67 Junior High Schools have been upgraded to High Schools.

The Governor stated that Manipur is among the first States in the country to complete GIS based school mapping under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).

It has been decided to extend grant-in-aid during the current financial year to SK Women's College Nambol, W Mani Girls' College Thoubal, South East Manipur College Komlathabi, Don Bosco College Maram and Moreh College.

For improvement of civil supplies, the Government has started construction of 1000 MT godown at Tamenglong, 800 MT godown each at Porompat and Noney, 2500 MT godown at Chandel, 1000 MT godown at Parbung and another godown of 5000 MT capacity at Jiribam.

Meanwhile, Infant Mortality Rate has improved to 14 from previous level of 16 while the All India average is 50.The Maternal Mortality is 160 against all India average of 212 .

The State Health Department is also taking up construction of buildings for 46 PHSCs and nine PHCs with NABARD funding.

The 50-bedded district hospital at Senapati last year, other district hospitals being constructed in the hill districts are scheduled for completion within 2013 .

The Governor also informed that the North East Council provided Rs 27 crores for construction of road from Kangpokpi to Tamenglong (119.75 Kms) during this year.

The road from Tamei to Tamenglong (49.75 Km) is in progress.

To reduce the increasing demand and supply gap for potable water in Imphal city, four works have been taken up during 2011-12 .

They include construction of water treatment plant (1 mld capacity) at Haobam Marak, construction of RCC overhead tank ( 1 lakh gallon capacity) at Nepra Menjor, construction of zonal reservoir at Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai and construction of water treatment plant (1 mld capacity) at Ward No 17 Singjamei.

For development of horticulture in the State, NEC has approved a project proposal for revival of four departmental Progeny Orchard cum Nurseries at Churachandpur, Senapati, Ukhrul and Jiribam.

For urban development, the Government has been undertaking three main projects namely, Solid Waste Management for Imphal City, Improvement of Nambul River & Naga Nalla Riverfront and Comprehensive Drainage of Imphal city.

With regard to sports infrastructure, the Governor informed the House that construction of district sports complexes were taken up at Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Bishnupur with funding from the Ministry of DoNER under NLCPR.

Talking about Information Technology, Gurbachan stated that an IT Park is under construction at Mantripukhri by the Software Technology Parks of India, Guwahati.

Moreover, M/S Accenture has been engaged as consultant to prepare a DPR for an IT Special Economic Zone in Manipur.

It is expected that with the creation of infrastructure like the IT Park and IT SEZ, the IT sector would provide employment opportunities to talented youngsters of the State.

The Governor concluded his address by informing the House that integrity of the State and communal harmony are two critical challenges of which the State Government is fully conscious.