Imphal, March 06: Responding to a barrage of queries from the Opposition bench on various issues during discussion of demand in the Manipur Legislative Assembly session today, the Chief Minister O Ibobi announced a slew of developmental programmes in the capital city as well as in the hill districts of the State.

Announcing this to the members of the House that plans are afoot to amend certain clauses of the District Council Act to facilitate expeditious implementation of numerous urban development schemes at all the hill district headquarters, the CM explained that for every hill district headquarters Rs 4 crore each would be earmarked in addition to provision of two truck each for the purpose of waste collection.

Regarding similar projects in Imphal areas, he informed that under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewable Mission (JNURM) garbage collection system in the capital city would be expanded to cover more important locations.

Listing constructions of multi-storeyed parking site, drains from Khoyathong upto Keishampat under JNURM's Imphal City beautification programme and relaying/replacement of water pipes in the capital area as some of the upcoming development schemes, the Chief Minister exuded confidence that on completion of these projects people would be greatly relieved from numerous form of inconveniences.

Taking part in the discussion, Health Minister P Parijat affirmed that concerted efforts are on to upgrade health services to the general public through the Primary Health Centre, Primary Health Sub Centre and district hospitals scattered in nook and corner of the State.

Regarding implementation of National Rural Health Mission in the State, the Minister maintained that in addition to relentless strive for overall improvement of the health care mechanism district mobile units have been introduced while conceding that shortage of doctors is still a niggling problem for the Government.

Insisting that the Centre is being constantly intimated to increase seats for pursuing PG courses in medical institutions to overcome shortage of doctors and convert JN Hospital to a State medical College, Parijat said the CT scan machine of JN Hospital would be activated within a short period and that Rs 50 lakh has been provided for the Hospital's management.

Informing that 10 private wards would be added to the medical centre very soon and that number of doctors also serving at private clinic has come down significantly, he also cautioned doctors who are reluctant to move to their posting places of punitive action.

Further informing of the Government having sanctioned Rs 2 crore in the current fiscal for purchase of medicines, plans to purchase/install MRI machines in the next financial year and similar process to install a 15-20 kg capacity insulator at Churachandpur District Hospital at the earliest, the Minister also conveyed to the members of five more insulator on the pipeline.

Taking charge of the proceedings, Commerce Minister Y Erabot said under the State Industrial Policy industrial units are being set up at Takyel, Government sponsored candidates pursuing three year diploma course at Guwahati to boost handloom production and that budgetary provision to promote handicraft and encourage artisans had been enhanced.

He also exuded confidence that ongoing food processing project at Nilakuthi and other similar schemes related to fruit preservation could be expedited with timely assistance and cooperation of the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department.

He also referred to ongoing projects at Chingarel of Imphal East and limestone project in Ukhrul district among other upcoming schemes district to underline Government's effort to enhance commercial value of the State.

Earlier, deliberating on the demands, MPP's O Joy alleged that the Horticulture Technology Mission has been reduced to a Table Mission with Minister concerned and Department officials splitting the fund among themselves.

Explaining his contention the seasoned politician insisted that funds released in 2001 for implementing programmes under the Horticulture Technology Mission amounting to crores of rupees had been diverted to other sector due to infeasibility of taking up crop plantation schemes.

further recounting that an amount of Rs 1.50 crore was released in 2004-05 for the Mantripukhri based Integrated Mushroom Unit, the langthabal AC legislator wondered whether the product suffice the investment.

Regarding Health and Family issue taken up in the House, O Joy opined that Government of India's "health for all 2008' policy has flopped in Manipur miserably when compared to health care facilities in other States of the country.

Referring to conditions prevalent in the only State-run JN Hospital to illustrate his contention, the MLA said dysfunctional toilet system, defunct CT scan machine since its installation in 2002, non-illumination of wards and corridors creating fear phobia to patients and visitors, non-availability of life saving drugs etc sums up difficulties being endured by the sick and weak.

Desiring that separate budgetary allocation be made for the Hospital, he also suggested that efficiency of Hospital management be enhanced through adequate fund provision.

On his part, Dr Ibohalbi also of the MPP expressed that doctors posted in the hill districts could be encouraged to be more dedicated and efficient to their noble service in case 'hill allowances' are extended to them.

Elected from Oinam AC, Dr Ibohalbi further stressed on ensuring adequate availability of medicines and other requisite facilities at Primary health Centres, Community Health Centres and Primary Health Sub Centres of the State to enable these health care centres justify its existence.

Posing to Minister concerned whether appointment of four Section Officers in MANIDCO had the consent of the State Cabinet, the MLA also pressed for removal of L Loken from the post of Managing Director of the State Govt undertaking.

Joining the discussion, Khurai AC's Dr Ng Bijoy posed who would shoulder responsibility of any untoward incident in the absence of State Medical Council and State Nursing Council.

He also demanded that inquiries be ordered into cases related to death of patients in hospitals so as to ascertain whether mistakes on the part of doctors or lack of basic infrastructure is causing such unwanted incidents.

The MLA further suggested that a cancer registry be opened at the JN Hospital in addition to improving immunisation programmes.

With regard to the Cashewnut Farm in Jiribam and Mushroom Farm at Lamphel, Dr Bijoy pressed for details on production quantum from these units besides taking serious note on lack of initiative to set up fruit crops preservation plant inspite of the fact that annual festivals are being organised at the State level to encourage orange and lemon growers.

Comment