Proposal sent to Centre for border haats: CM
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 26 2020: The State Government has sent necessary proposal to the Ministry of Commerce for establishing Border Haats at 5 areas in various districts, namely Kamjong, Ukhrul, Churachandpur and Chandel to promote cross border trade.

Law enforcing agencies have also be directed to step up their security to curb illegal cross border smuggling, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh during the Assembly session today.

Replying to a query raised by MLA K Leishiyo about the construction of Border Haats in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, CM Biren said that the State Government has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Commerce for establishing Border Haats at Tusom Christian Village (Ukhrul) and Konkanthana and Pilong (Kamjong) .

Proposal sent to Centre for border haats: CM

Informing that the Government is planning to set up Customs Office Check Post at Kamjong and Kasom Sub-Division, Biren explained that the border between India and Myanmar is around 1640 kilometres long and it was recently surveyed by a joint team comprising of Indian and Myanmar officials.

9 locations for setting up Border Haats were identified during the survey, the CM said.

Responding further to the MLA's question, the Chief Minister said that the Assistant Commissioner Customs Division sent a letter to the State Government on February 24 informing that construction of Border Haats have been recommended at 5 locations, namely Namli and Konkanthana in Kamjong, Tusom in Ukhrul, Beihang in Churachandpur and New Somtal in Chandel.

Biren continued that with proper permission from the DCs and SDOs concerned, free movement is permitted in the border area for around 16 kms each into Myanmar and Indian side.

Assam Rifles operates in the border area of Ukhrul and Kamjong because of the absence of a Border Haat.

As soon as Border Haats are established, Customs staff will be stationed at check posts.

The AR personnel are just carrying out their duty in the border areas and checking any illegal smuggling activities, the CM explained, adding that the Assam Rifles however does not have permission to carry out checks like a business process.

The Government is monitoring reported smuggling of paan/betel nuts and timber along the border areas of Kamjong and Ukhrul, Biren said, adding that currently, around 3/4 truckloads of timber are also being detained at Churachandpur side.

A similar situation is also taking place at New Somtal.

Necessary instructions will also be given to the law enforcing agencies of Ukhrul side to do the needful, he assured.

During the question hour, MLA AK Mirabai drew the attention of the Speaker by stating that she had failed to receive a reply from the Chief Minister, who is also in charge of Home, concerning the rising crimes against women and children in the State.

Mirabai said that she had submitted her query 10 days ago as per the Assembly's rule of procedure conduct of business but she did not receive the reply one day prior to the session as per the rule.

Claiming that such blatant disregard of the House's rule is very unfortunate, the MLA sought the attention of the Speaker to properly investigate as to why her question has not be responded to.

Taking note of the issue, Speaker Y Khemchand instructed the Chief Minister, who is also the Leader of the House, to avoid such mistakes in the future.

The Speaker then proposed for a time to discuss an appropriation Bill to which the MLA agreed.

Responding to a question raised by MLA Md Fazur Rahim, Biren said that in 2016, the State Cabinet decided to set up police stations at 10 different locations of the State as well as to establish police out posts at another 10 locations.

The State Government considers it of utmost importance to construct a police station for Irong Chesaba.

The process got delayed due to land issues.

Land identification for construction of the police station is still under process and the final decision on buying and compensation will be taken after knowing whether the land is a private or a State land.

As the MLA has assured to offer his support, the Government will instruct the necessary DCs and SPs to expedite the process, the CM assured.

Biren continued that district boundary issues are a common issue and explained that classification of the areas as hills and valley due to security reasons, poses some difficulties for the Government in tending to these issues.

He then appealed to all the Members to offer cooperation, assuring that the Government will try to reorganise the district boundaries.

Replying to a question posed by MLA RK Imo, the Chief Minister informed that all the necessary documents related to the budget presented during the Assembly, have been uploaded to the State Government website.

Biren assured that the Government takes the matter of e-budget seriously and intends to e-mail the budget documents to all Members of the House on the day of introduction of the budget by next year.

On the other hand, throwing light on the appointment of officials of the Weight & Measures Department, Revenue, CAF & PD Minister Karam Shyam said that AS Peter Shitsangmi, Assistant Controller of the Department, is the senior most employee with effect from March 1, 2017, since the retirement of L Nripendrakumar Singh who was the Deputy Controller then.

He clarified that Nripendrakumar had been holding the post of Assistant Controller of the Weight & Measures Department since December 15, 1998.In response to a supplementary question raised by MLA Alfred Kanngam Arthur, he stated that AS Peter Shitsangmi was not promoted due to irregularity in his attendance, administrative discrepancies like inability to provide regular monthly salary to his staff and loopholes in the revenue collection of Ukhrul district.

Moreover, he has not submitted his ACR for more than 5 years, Minister Karam Shyam stated.

Tribal & Hill Areas Development Minister N Kayisii assured that there is no shortage of funds for the development of tribals in Manipur.

The Government is trying to get finance approval to reconstruct the supermarket destroyed by earthquake at Saikul, he said.

Minister Kayisii also informed the House that Rs 25 lakh each was sanctioned for the construction of health centres at Impa village, Tamenglong district; Thingpuikuol village, Churachandpur district and Chamu village, Ukhrul district under Special Centre Assistance (SCA) for Tribal Sub-Plan during 2017-18. MLA K Ranjit Singh questioned the House on proper disposal of biomedical waste and irregularities in the posting of doctors and other medical staff in Manipur.

Dr Chaltonlien Amo drew the attention of the House on the failure to construct PHC buildings at Patpuihmun and Senvon and urged the Health Minister to make health infrastructure facilities like operation theatre, minor operation theatre, delivery set and ultrasound available in the hilly areas also.

Opposition MLAs K Ranjit Singh, Dr Chaltonlien Amo, Kh Joykisan Singh, RK Imo Singh, Alfred Kanngam Arthur and K Meghachandra Singh raised motion for disapproval of policy cut during the discussion and voting on demands for grants.