Non-extension of SoO pact elates CM Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 08 2024: Recalling the government's decision to withdraw from the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, chief minister N Biren opined that the Centre is acknowledging the assembly resolution by not extending the tripartite agreement.

Responding to question from opposition member K Ranjit during the question hour of the ongoing assembly session on Thursday, Biren, who is also in charge of home, said that the SoO pact should be regarded as alive even though the state government retracted from the agreement since it is a tripartite talk.

Apart from the Central government not extending the agreement after it lapsed on February 29 this year, police have registered 137 FIRs from March 1 to July 31 against cadres of outfits bound by the SoO pact for their involvement in illegal activities while three have been arrested following investigation, he said.

While reminding that nobody is above the law, Biren stated that the state cabinet decided to withdraw from the agreement due to rampant violation of ground rules and involvement of cadres of SoO groups in illegal activities.

Consequently, the Assembly adopted similar resolution and sent to the Centre, following which the agreement was not extended, elaborated the chief minister, who also conceded that as the SoO agreement was signed to bring peace, the state government cannot intervene in the policy of the centre.

Nevertheless, not extending the agreement underscores that the Centre acknowledges the sentiment of the state government and its people, he said.

Responding to a question on illegal poppy plantation raised by opposition member Th Lokeshwar, the CM said that from 2017 to March 2024, FIRs have been registered against 412 people during the course of drives carried out against poppy cultivation.

Two investors, 16 village chiefs and 69 cultivators have also been arrested and poppy plants in 16,788 acres of land destroyed during the period.

The Government initiated scheme to provide alternative farming for poppy farmers, he said.

In response to a question on infrastructure development in the hills raised by MLA Leishiyo Keishing, the CM said that 6854 buildings/infrastructure were constructed under TA & Hills department, and maintenance/ renovation works taken up for 228 buildings in hill districts in the last 15 years.

He assured the House to look into possibilities of taking up maintenance works of some buildings under 15th Finance Commission.

Regarding PMGSY Phase III raised by MLAs Kh Loken and Th Shyamkumar, RD&PR minister Y Khemchand said that PMGSY Phase III was sanctioned on March 7, 2024 .

So far, 134 bailey bridges have been constructed and 42 pending completion, said the minister, while explaining that bridges of 20R category have capacity of 20 tonnes and 40R capacity of 40 tonnes.

Bailey bridges are designed as per span and load capacity and follow strict guidelines.

However, it requires an assessment to verify types of steel bars used by contractors, he said and assured of giving approval for forming a committee with engineers from PMGSY, PWD and water resource to conduct enquiry about the category of steel bars used and actual load capacity.

The minister further assured the House to initiate tender process for PMGSY Phase III within August/September and start execution from either November or December.

Cited certain issues hindering official formalities as the reasons for delay in the tender process, Khemchand said the finance department will provide clearance in a couple of days.

Regarding pending salaries for teachers raised by opposition member Surjakumar Okram, education minister Th Basanta Kumar said that salaries of graduate teachers and primary teachers on contractual basis are pending since September 1 last year, while salaries of lecturers, whose post were regularised recently, are pending since April 1 last year.

Altogether 1397 teachers have their salaries pending.

Specific Identification Number (SIN) is required for releasing salary and the finance director is the authority to generate the SIN.

There were some technical issues that caused delay in generating SIN.

So far, SIN for 1069 teachers have been generated and their salaries for six months released.

The Department sought relaxation for another six months but the finance department rejected the request.

Since SIN generation is in progress and budget allocation has been made, he expressed confidence that pending salaries of the teachers will be released by September.

On the other hand, he said, posts of 603 teachers were regularised in January 2022.However, it turned out that their posts were regularised without post vacancy.

As such, the case was referred to vigilance and it might take some time until the case is resolved.

Nevertheless, their salaries are reflected in the budget, he added.

Comment