Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 03 2009:
Other than efforts to control law and order through sustained militarisation, the Governor's address did not mention any substantial measure taken up by the Government to solve the insurgency issue, asserted MPP MLA RK Anand adding it is still questionable whether the civil administration has been streamlined in the State.
Taking part in discussing the Governor's address in the State Assembly today, RK Anand said that law and order situation was not secure in the hills districts too.
He cited the case of the murder of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Kishan and his staff and other disturbances along highways.
Calling upon the House to introspect into the massive and highly vocal objections raised from several quarters against deployment of police commandos and IRB in hill districts, RK Anand noted that there is no rule that prohibits deployment of commandos and IRBs in hill districts.
The Government need to look into the alleged opening of camps by NSCN (IM) in areas not covered by the ceasefire pact.
Observing that NGOs are more active in fighting drug abuse, Anand conveyed his strong desire for the Government to take more proactive roles.
Noting that financial condition of the State has improved under the incumbent Government, Radhabinod Koijam said that the Governor's address reflected very little on framing policies and it lacked specificity.
Drawing reference to the Border Area Development Programme (BADP), the opposition leader lamented that not much was known about the projects taken up under BADP or whether the projects were implemented properly.
Dissecting the Governor's address, Radhabinod decried that it did not touch the urgent necessities of the State in power sector.
There was no perspective plan to bridge the gap between supply and demand, he pointed out.
Quoting the Governor's address that 6.41 tree saplings have been planted, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi said that the address did not mention about the number of tree saplings that survives.
The address did not underline any measures to discourage lumbering or alleviate the economy of hill people.
Expressing serious apprehension of famine or severe food scarcity as no paddy can be cultivated yet due to no-arrival of monsoon, Ibohalbi drew attention of the Government to check possibility of waiving off loans indebted to farmers and also to put in place a policy to tackle any eventuality.