Funding pattern ; MLA withdraws private member resolution
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 26 2016 :
Citing
changes in the pattern of
funding by the Government of
India, the Manipur Legislative
Assembly today declined a
private member resolution
raised by MLA Dr I Ibohalbi
which sought a resolution on
retaining special State category
status for Manipur.
Raising the private mem-
ber resolution, Dr Ibohalbi
remarked that the State has
been facing acute financial
difficulties on account of
abolishment of special cat-
egory status.
Stating that even many big
States have been demanding
special category status, Dr
Ibohalbi urged the House to
pass a resolution on retaining
special category status for
Manipur and forward the
same resolution to the Gov-
ernment of India.
Responding to the motion,
Chief Minister O Ibobi re-
minded that the State
Government made a strong
appeal against the Govern-
ment of India's initiative to
abolish special category sta-
tus for all States.
Similar appeals were also
made by many other States
but all the appeals fell on deaf ears.
Subsequently, a sub-committee was formed and many rec-
ommendations were sent to the Centre seeking retention of
special category status.
As a result, certain changes were made in the funding
pattern which was generally either 50: 50 or 70: 30.This has
given a reprieve to the State Government.
It appears that the Government of India has started realising
the difficulties of States with limited resources like Manipur.
It has been learnt that an internal committee whose members
also include officials of the Finance Ministry has been looking
into the matter.
Stating that it would be immature to adopt a resolution by
the State Assembly on retention of special category status for
Manipur, the Chief Minister suggested that they should wait
for sometime.
After listening to the Chief Minister, Dr Ibohalbi withdrew
his private member resolution.