Imphal, March 07: The Union Government has been urged to lift the Protected Area Permit system and the Restricted Area Permit system from Manipur.

Continued imposition of PAP and RAP system in the State lacks logic.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is looking into details to lift the systems, stated Tourism Minister TN Haokip in the State Assembly while discussing several demands today.

Raising token cut motions during discussion of the demands, Ng Bijoy of MPP contended that leaving colleges by lecturers after taking a single class in Government colleges is against the Civil Service conduct rules.

Such misconduct is a result of absence of regular Principals in Government colleges, he asserted.

He also exuded confidence that the Centre would certainly lift the outdated PAP and RAP systems from the State.

Taking part in the discussion, veteran MPP leader O Joy asserted that tourism is one of the industries which can grow the fastest.

However, the number of tourists to Manipur has decreased to a great extent in the last few years, he noted.

He also emphasised on the urgent necessity to review the PAP and RAP systems and to make proper and effective planning so as to tap the natural resources of the State.

Taking strong exception to occupation of tourist spots by security forces, MLA M Manindra alleged that following occupation of the site selected for Takmu Water Sports complex, the complex is facing the predicament of shifting somewhere else.

He drew attention of the House to make tourist spots free zones.

Responding to the motions, TN Haokip said that plans are afoot to develop Sadu Chiru water fall in consultation with the Works Department and others.

A complete tourism policy has also been formulated to develop tourism sector in the State with active involvement of all the Departments from the next financial year, he claimed.

He contended that absence of security forces at tourist sites lead to occupation by underground cadres.

Yet he assured that he would look into the possibility of removing security forces from tourist spots.

Stressing on the importance of hospitality factor in promoting tourism, TN Haokip observed that tourism sector can hardly prosper in conservative societies.

Informing the House that 165 Gram Panchayats and four Zilla Parishads have been established in the State under the Manipur Panchayat Act 1994, Panchayati Raj Minister Allaudin Khan said that the once the delimitation exercise is over, the number of Gram Panchayats will be increased by 24.Allaudin also assured to check the possibility of increasing the honorarium of Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad members.

While discussing on education sector, Education Minister L Jayantakumar informed the House that job oriented courses have been introduced in higher education.

Under the initiative, tourism course has been opened in Moirang College, sericulture course in Presidency College and fashion and designing course in GP Women's College, he explained.

As regards the shortage of teachers, the Government is working to complete the recruitment process of 309 lecturers which has been already initiated through MPSC.

Moreover, the MPSC has been requisitioned to appoint 25 regular Principals in Government colleges, he mentioned.

On extension of the retirement age of college lecturers, the State Cabinet has already framed a policy, informed Jayantakumar.

To facilitate payment of salaries to aided school teachers, the required fund has been included in the RE, he said while declaring that requisite strength of teachers will be recruited after formulating a staffing pattern.

He also assured to investigate into the improper execution of infrastructure development works in Tolloi Higher Secondary School for which Rs 80 lakhs was sanctioned.

Jayantakumar said that necessary fund has been incorporated in the budget for development of the school's infrastructure.

Rather than providing grants to aided colleges, the Government is considering to extend 'liberal grants' to aided colleges.

Declaring that art and culture is an invaluable asset of Manipur, Chief Minister O Ibobi informed the House that funds for development of the infrastructure of Imphal Art College has been incorporated in the SPA.

The State Kala Akademi will be shifted to Palace Compound.

Process is on to acquire land for the main administrative building of the Akademi, Ibobi said.

Taking part in the discussion for several demands, Khasim Ruivah and Morung Makunga asserted that school education has failed totally in hill districts.

Even as there has been reports of rationalisation, not a single new teacher has been posted in hill districts.

They also decried that even as Rs 80 lakhs have been sanctioned for development of infrastructure in Tolloi Higher Secondary School, the work was executed in the most haphazard and incomplete manner.

Highlighting his apprehension for possible outbreak of crisis and strong students movement in several colleges because of non-recruitment of lecturers against the many existing vacant posts, Ng Bijoy urged upon the Government to recruit necessary lecturers at the earliest.

He also asked for extension of the service period of lecturers up to 60 years.

He further asserted that there are many flaws and lapses in the school education system.

With the Zonal Education Offices not functioning properly, school inspectors have totally given up the practice of inspecting schools, rued Bijoy.

He also asked the Education Minister about the activities and functions of the language cell established for development of the Manipuri language.

Observing that aided school teachers have not been receiving their salaries since many months back, Bijoy urged upon the Government to pay salaries of the aided schools at the earliest.

Noting that 28 Government colleges are facing shortage of lecturers, Dr I Ibohalbi sought attention of the Education Minister to appoint requisite lecturers and also to extend the service period of lecturers to 60 years of age.

Touching on the issue of rural development, Dr Ibohalbi while asserting that the honorarium of elected members of local bodies has become outdated, highlighted the need to increase it.

He observed that the road leading to Sadu Chiru water fall is too narrow for the convenience of tourists.

Urging to widen the road, he also insisted on constructing a rest house and adequate toilets near the water fall site.

Later, the House passed four different demands pertaining to Education Department amounting to Rs 405,76,56,000, Panchayat and Rural Development Department amounting to Rs 35,77,43,000, Art and Culture Department amounting to Rs 18,00,19,000 and Tourism Department amounting to Rs 3,54,02,000.

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