State to have Passport office by year end, says Gaikhangam
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 28 2013 : A Passport Office in Manipur will be set up by the end of this year, informed Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the portfolio of Home, during the Question and Answer session of the Assembly session today.

He was replying to a query raised by Opposition MLA Dr I Ibohalbi.

The Minister further informed that the State Government has been preparing to set up a passport office in Imphal since 2010 and the officials of Guwahati passport Authority have even visited to inspect the area where the office is to come up.

However, on finding the space provided in Imphal Secretariat is too small, the officials have requested for providing a larger area for the purpose.

Now, a perfect location with the required land area has been obtained.

It is a private building which would be hired for the purpose.

So, the passport office will be opened by the end of this year.

The Deputy Chief Minister further pointed out that since basic training of the staffs to be engaged in the passport office is required; some of them have been already provided the required training outside the State.

As the authority of the Regional Passport Office at Guwahati has asked to send officers not below the rank of SP for the training, necessary arrangements have also been made in the regard.

Raising the question, Dr Ibohalbi highlighted that there are 38 National Passport Offices, 37 Regional Passport Offices and 495 District Passport Offices in the country.

However, there is no passport office in Manipur so far.

With no passport office in the State, the people who require passport are required to go all the way to Guwahati spending huge amount of money.

As such, the State Government needs to put pressure on the Central Government for establishing a Passport Office in the State at the earliest.

Replying to a query made by Opposition MLA L Ibomcha, Chief Minister O Ibobi assured that the State Government will see how far the State can be placed in the "Special Category" status and added that it is very praiseworthy on the part of the MLA to highlight the benefits of placing the State under "Special Category" status.

Answering to another query put forward by MLA RK Anand, the Chief Minister informed the House that there are nine Veterinary Hospitals in the State with every district having one hospital each.

He also assured the House that all the veterinary hospitals in the districts would be brought up to the level of the State Veterinary Hospital for ensuring treatment facilities to all the animals in every household.

While responding to a question of MLA Nemcha Kipgen, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai said that there is no proposal to repair the burnt down building of the office of Kangpokpi CDPO.

The construction and repairing work would be made after arrival of the 14th Finance Commission.

As of now, the office is being run from a rented house.

Minister for Transport , Dr Kh Ratankumar, while replying to a query made by MLA Janghemlung Panmei stated that there is no proposal at present for opening a Transport Office in Tamenglong.

Nonetheless, the matter will be discussed with the Chief Minister and see what can be done in the regard.

Chief Minister O Ibobi, while replying to a question raised by MLA M Kunjo, informed the House that a work order amounting to Rs 9,20,810 has been sanctioned under MDS to the Secretary of the beneficiary committee for construction of a community hall in Waikhong in the year 2009-10 .

To a question of MLA Fajur Rahim, the Chief Minister admitted that there is the need for repairing the Buffalo farm in Wabgai.

However, there is no report on the attendance of staffs.

There are at present eight staffs.

On another question raised by MLA O Lukhoi, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai pointed out there are 117 Anganwadi centres in Wangoi, out of which 59 are still yet to be constructed.

As of now, there is no proposal of constructing them.

Answering to another question put forward by MLA Th Bishorjit, Minister Ak Mirabai informed the House that due to fund constraints, the honorarium of Anganwadi workers and helpers for 13 months has not been paid off.

Chief Minister O Ibobi, while answering to a query made by MLA RK Imo, stated that the drains being constructed from Waheng Leikai to Tera is taken up by PDA.

It is because of the presence of some ponds along the path that the construction of the drain has remained incomplete.

There is no proposal to construct the building of the veterinary dispensary at Wangjing Hodamba Maning, although there are five staffs in dispensary, Chief Minister O Ibobi said, while responding to a question raised by MLA P Brojen.

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