Revenue Minister bats for land survey
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 29 2016:
Revenue Minister Th Debendra has stated that a serious issue may break out after 10/20 years if a proper survey is not conducted even though there is a separate land law for the hill areas of Manipur.
Debendra made this statement while discussing demands for grants in the State Assembly today.
The demands passed by the State Assembly today pertained to Land Revenue, Stamps, Registration and District Administration, Power, Youth Affairs and Sports, Stationery and Printing, Irrigation and Flood Control, Art and Culture and Tourism.
Replying to policy cut and economic cut motions raised by Opposition members and suggestions made by members of the ruling bench, Th Debendra stated that there is a need to conduct a proper survey and draw a detailed map even though there is separate land law for hill areas of the State.
He further expressed strong apprehension about the possible break out of a serious ethnic conflict after 10/20 years if a proper land survey is not carried in the hill areas.
The situation demands consultation with all the MLAs elected from hill districts and leaders of different ethnic groups.
Talking about encroachment in the valley area, the Revenue Minister noted that most of the encroachments in the valley area take place upon agricultural lands.
In order to check encroachment, the State Government enacted the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetlands Act 2014 .
To enable the Government evict people who encroach upon the State's land before the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetlands Act 2014 came into force, the Land Revenue and Land Resources Act was amended.
This was followed by constitution of district level and State level committees with the primary objective of checking encroachment.
So far, the State level committee has not received any report about encroachment, Debendra informed the House.
A major drive would be launched to evict encroachers occupying Government lands along National Highways and State Highways, he added.
Chief Minister O Ibobi claimed that mini sports complexes being constructed in all the districts barring Bishnupur and Churachandpur are on the verge of completion.
Installation of necessary infrastructure at Takmu Regional Water Sports complex is also nearing completion.
The astro-turf of Khuman Lampak hockey stadium was replaced with a new one with fund awarded by the 13th Finance Commission.
Half of the old astro-turf has been given to Bishnupur sports stadium and the remaining half would be given to Thoubal sports complex.
The State has already started implementing the Sports Policy 2003 and the Government has been providing monetary assistance towards preserving and promoting indigenous games like Thang-Ta, Kang, Mukna etc, Ibobi asserted.
The Government is also working to set up a film institute which would be equipped with film shooting facility, Ibobi added.
IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip stated that funds are no longer available for repairing/strengthening of river banks as the Centre's funding pattern has changed.
He added people who have been occupying river banks and have secured land ownership documents can be evicted only after consultation with the Revenue Department.
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