Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 09 2009:
The State Assembly today passed five separate demands amounting to Rs 664 crores (approximately) for the financial year 2009-10 .
The demands passed today were for State Legislature (Rs 17,48,01,000), Council of Ministers (Rs 2,85,50,000), Secretariat (Rs 37,75,09,000), Elections (Rs 3,60,52,000), General Economics (Rs 612,47,02,000) .
During the discussion of the demands, Opposition MLAs O Joy, Dr I Ibohalbi, Dr Ng Bijoy and RK Anand raised cut motions.
Raising the cut motions, Opposition members contended that even though the financial health of the State has improved, there was lack of transparency in implementing welfare schemes and development projects.
Accusing the Council of Ministers of showing disrespect to House members, the Opposition MLAs lamented that officers too have started disregarding them.
They further announced their intention to fix responsibilities on the Ministers concerned when officers show disrespect to House members.
Talking about their humiliating experience in waiting for long hours to have a durbar with the Chief Minister as well as Ministers at the CM's Secretariat and the Secretariat, the Opposition members contended that such practises violate their dignity as representatives of the people.
They also suggested delimitation of polling stations where the number of voters are too big.
The Opposition MLAs also urged the Government to pay hiring fees of vehicles used during elections in time and highlighted the problems caused by inept handling of electronic voting machines.
Questioning the reluctance of Ministers to inform local MLAs before they go on tours to inspect development projects, Khasim Ruivah asserted that due information should be given to the local MLAs for proper implementation of development programmes.
Taking part in the discussion, Chief Minister O Ibobi supported the observations made by the Opposition MLAs.
He also advised Ministers to inform local MLAs before they set out on inspection tours of development projects.
Observing that delay in implementation of projects entails escalation in estimated costs, the Chief Minister maintained that the Government always strive to implement projects on time.
The Government has also been putting in maximum efforts to maintain transparency, he claimed.
Emphasising on the need to streamline departments, the Chief Minister remarked that it would be more prudent on the part of Ministers to consult the members of the Assembly while implementing any development scheme.
Observing that House members are also representatives of the people, the CM advised Ministers to deal with House members on first priority.
Saying that there five polling stations having 1401 to 1500 voters and another two polling stations with over 1500 voters, the CM said that necessary directive has been given to rationalise these polling stations.
Due examination is being made to pay hiring charges for vehicles used during elections at the earliest, Ibobi said.
He said that the Govt would not allow the Shillong AG to occupy Red Lane.
The Govt may even go to Court, if necessary, he added.
After due deliberations were made on the demands, the opposition members withdrew their cut motions and all the demands were passed unanimously.