Schemes galore to check seasonal floods
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 29 2011:
With the objective of checking seasonal floods, ten schemes were taken up on the major rivers of the State during 2010-11 with monetary assistance from the Brahmaputra Board, stated Irrigation and Flood Control Minister N Biren on the floor of the State Legislative Assembly today.
Responding to a query raised by MLA N Mangi, Biren informed that ten schemes were taken up on the major rivers of the State under sponsorship of the Brahmaputra Board during the financial year 2010-11 .
The amount sanctioned for the current fiscal year is Rs 18.99 crores.
The amount has not been utilised till date.
The State IFCD sent proposals for some other schemes for implementation during the financial 2011-12 .
But the Brahmaputra Board asked the department to submit proposals in the next fiscal year, that is 2012-13 .
To another query raised by opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam, Biren stated that the only natural drain for draining out water from Lamphelpat area to Naga rivulet and Nambul river during rainy season is Shamushang.
To drain water from Lamphelpat area, six water pumps have been pressed into service at Shamushang Uku (culvert).
He further assured the House that the number of water pumps would be increased and also to look for possible means of digging large ponds using modern machinery within Lamphelpat area so as to drain out water from flooded areas of Lamphelpat.
To a poser put up by O Joy and RK Anand about MGNREGS, MOBC Minister Md Alauddin Khan said that MGNREGS fund earmarked for 2010-11 was Rs 2090 lakhs.
Whereas the State contributed Rs 4752.14 lakhs as its share for 2008-09 and 2009-10, the State Government is unable to release its share for 2010-11 .
To another question put up by MLA M Hemanta about scarcity of fertilizers in Manipur, Agriculture Minister Ph Parijat claimed that Agriculture Department made all possible efforts to make fertilizers available to farmers.
However, there are certain difficulties due to bandhs and blockades.
To ensure availability of fertilizers in adequate quantity, one Nodal Officer has been appointed in addition to the Assistant Fertilizer Officer.
Moreover, District Agriculture Officers have been empowered for fertilizer inspection, Parijat stated.
During zero hour, MLA T Hangkhanpao sought attention of the House for improvement of health care facilities at Biheng as MLA Dr Ng Bijoy asked for payment of revised pay to Home Guard personnel.
MLA RK Anand urged for establishment of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
On the other hand, Works Minister K Ranjit informed the House that Rs 12 crores have been set aside for repairing inter-village roads within Thangmeiband AC under Special Plan Assistance.
Responding to a call attention motion raised by Radhabinod Koijam, K Ranjit agreed that most of the roads in Thangmeiband and Uripok ACs have been severely damaged while implementing the Sewerage Project.
Sewerage Project works on Uripok road and RIMS road have been completed.
Similar works being undertaken on Thangmeiband Watham Leirak would be completed by the month of December, Ranjit stated.
Raising the call attention motion, Radhabinod said that all the roads of Thangmeiband have broken down to deplorable conditions.
On the other hand, an aspiring candidate for the Assembly elections has been mobilizing people to stage protest demonstrations against the deplorable condition of the roads at different localities of Thangmeiband, Radhabinod informed the House.