Speaker advises Shyamkumar to look into TMC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 22 2019:
Speaker Y Khemchand has advised MAHUD Minister Th Shyamkumar to look into the state of affairs prevailing within Thoubal Municipal Council (TMC).
While discussing a demand pertaining to MAHUD in the State Assembly, Opposition MLAs K Meghachandra and RK Imo raised cut motions saying that urban development policies are lacking in the State and there is a growing need to let local bodies function to their full potential.
Meghachandra said that MAHUD Department has not been properly supervising municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats.
Since the past two years, TMC has not been functioning properly on account of suspension of the Chairman following no confidence moved by certain quarters.
TMC has been virtually rendered defunct by the allegation made by 11 individuals, who have nothing to do with the council, that four receipt books had been lost and there were discrepancies on the allotment of vendor plots to 27 people.
According to the allegations made by the 11 individuals, action should be initiated against the Executive Officer.
Pointing out that Court had cancelled the suspension order of the Chairman twice, Meghachandra asked why the Chairman was suspended again and again.
Responding to the cut motions, MAHUD Minister Th Shyamkumar said that TMC is being kept suspended on account of continuous confrontation between two parties and there are several other factors.
He said that the Chairperson was suspended as he took over certain duties of the Executive Officer.
Even as Shyamkumar assured to look into the suspension of the Chairperson, Meghachandra expressed strong displeasure.
Subsequently, the Speaker advised the MAHUD Minister to look into the state of affairs prevailing within TMC.
Congress MLA O Surjakumar sought attention of the Government to let Thoubal Municipal Council and Wangjing-Lamding Municipal Council work to their full potentials.
RK Imo asked the MAHUD Minister if there is any policy for development of urban centre.
He also sought a report on the status of smart city project.
Shyamkumar said that Rs 109 crore was released in April last year for development of Imphal as a smart city.
Although the tender process took some time, the same process had been completed and the appointed date was issued in November last year, Shyamkumar said.
Saying that execution of the project would begin within a short time, he informed the House that due initiative has been launched to ensure that parking lots and drainage systems are incorporated while building new houses within Imphal city.
When 6th Pay was entitled to the employees of Imphal Municipal Corporation, the Government made additional expenditure of Rs one crore.
6th Pay has been given to IMC employees for two months and the employees have been agitating demanding release of arrears.
The Government is unable to release the pending arrears as the budget has not been passed, Shyamkumar said.
He also assured that arrears would be released once the budget session is over.