House clears Paddy Land Bill
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 25 2014 : The Manipur Legislative Assembly today unanimously passed the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land Bill 2014 and the Shree Shree Govindajee (4th Amendment) Bill 2014 .

While deliberating on the Bills, Dr I Ibohalbi remarked that the principle behind the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land Bill was laudable.

He suggested that conservation of paddy land should encompass both wetlands as well as marsh lands.

On Shree Shree Govinda-jee temple, Dr Ibohalbi pointed out the Court order pertaining to development of Umang Lai temples.

As a case is pending in Court, it would be prudent to refer the matter to a select committee for minute examination.

Nonetheless, the spirit behind the Bill deserved appre- ciation, Ibohalbi added.

Law Minister Th Deben-dra commented that the matter may be examined by a House committee without constituting any select committee.

House clears Paddy Land Bill

Chief Minister O Ibobi replied that there is no harm in adding certain provisions for protection of marsh lands and wetlands which are being transformed into human settlements.

There is no harm to form a committee and study the Court directive pertaining to the Shree Shree Govindajee Temple.

The Government of India entrusted Shree Shree Govin-dajee Temple to the Manipur king before it was taken over by the temple board after the State Assembly passed an Act in 1972 .

Followers of Sanamahi cult and Vaishnavites have been entangled in a Court case.

The temple board's Act did not encompass Umang Lai.

Later certain provisions were added to bring the institution of Umang Lai under the purview of the temple board's Pandit Loishang.

After the two Bills were examined by a House committee comprising of Dr I Ibohalbi, N Biren, L Ibomcha, Dr Ng Bijoy, Dr Chaltonlien Amo, RK Anand and Law Minister Th Debendra, the House unanimously passed the Bills.

Earlier, Chief Minister O Ibobi tabled at the House the Salaries and Allowances of the Legislative Assembly (Manipur, 20th Amendment Bill 2014 and the Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Manipur), 12th Amendment Bill 2014 .