House okays three demands, district Courts coming up
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 21 2013 : Preceded by intense queries and consequent to detailed presentation of their respective cases by the Ministers concerned, the State Assembly today approved Rs 21,24,89,000 demand for CAF&PD, Rs 81,61,61,000 for Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, and Rs 31,68,01,000 for Fisheries.

As part of the Government's plan for phase-wise development of district Courts the legal facility would be established at Senapati, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts in the initial round, said Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Th Debendra.

Highlighting the Government objectives during the demand discussion on Administration of Justice in the Assembly today, the Minister stated that the district Courts are being set up to ensure expeditious justice to the people.

Besides informing that a civil Court would be set up at Moreh, he expressed confidence that establishment of district Courts would enable disposal of cases lying before the lone Family Court.

Th Debendra also maintained that discussions are on to revive the Manipur Human Rights Commission.

On the other hand, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister M Okendro cautioned that sale of PDS items, like rice, in private shops entails legal action.

Deliberating on the CAF&PD demand, the Minister also informed the members that as per Central Government guidelines, sugar would be directly procured by the State from sugar mills at Rs 32 per kg from the current month and the same made available to the consumers at Rs 13.80 a kilogram.

Confiding that the Central Government would be reimbursing additional expenditure incurred by the State in procuring the PDS item, Okendro highlighted that pending Central assistance Government of Manipur will have to spent Rs 5.5 crore to lift the State's monthly quota.

Noting fuel outlets ceasing sale whenever bandhs/blockades are enforced despite availability of fuel at the individual pumps, the Minister declared that the CAF&PD Department has already initiated necessary measures to curb the unhealthy practice.

During discussion on Veterinary and animal Husbandry, Minister concerned K Govindas announced launch up of nine mobile clinics and purchase of 25 bikes to access interior areas for providing relevant veterinary services.

Revealing Government plan for protecting genuine breed of Manipuri ponies by setting up a breeding facility at Marjing hill-lock in Heingang, Govindas also said that under the National breeding Trust, Mithun breeding projects would be established at Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong and Tamenglong districts.

Moreover a quarantine house would be set up at Moreh to monitor animal health in the border town and surrounding villages along with regular animal health camps ay different locations, said the Minister.

Out of the annual requirement of 49.28 crore eggs the State's product currently staggers at 11.52 crores, added the Minister.

Presenting his case during the debate on fisheries, Minister Md Abdul Nasir informed the House that along with setting up check posts at Sekmai and Moreh within 2-3 months to monitor import of fishes, a laboratory to test quality of the imported varieties would be established very soon.

Earlier, Sagolband AC MLA RK Imo cited lack of supervision and involvement of middle-men as some of the factors for the public denied their share of PDS benefits.

He suggested cancellation of bogus ration cards and transparency in the PDS mechanism to ensure the common people have access to the essential items.

While Thongju AC representative Th Bishorjit drew the Government's attention on the need for protecting the indigenous manipuri ponies, Thangmeiband MLA Kh Joykisan proposed that submission of constituency-wise utilisation certificate be allowed regarding PDS item provision.

The latter also posed on the lapse of sugar provision for May and June months besides suggesting that an exclusive fish market be established instead of the food item sold amidst other consumer goods.

alleging loopholes in the distribution of PDS items and pointing out absence of a regulatory mechanism in the sale of livestock and meats, Dr I Ibohalbi demanded if there is any Government assistance to educated unemployed youths involved in livestock rearing ventures.

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