Banks in remote hill areas
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 11 2012: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has stated that Rs 80 crore has been earmarked to set-up SDO/BDO office complexes with banking facilities in hill area sub-divisions where there are no banks.

Conceding that lack of banking facilities in some hill district sub-divisional headquarters had been hampering effective implementation of development works in these areas, the CM conveyed that besides attaching banking facility to the SDO/BDO offices there would be additional facility for staff quarters and security barracks.

Replying to opposition queries in today's session of the assembly, Ibobi also conceded that prohibition on sale of liquor has severely crippled revenue collection target of the Excise Department.

Informing members present that a temporary Taxation Check Post is functioning at Taphou area in Senapati district, he said effort is on to establish a composite check post at Mao area at an estimated cost of Rs 17 crore.

Similarly, relevant measures are being taken to operationalise composite check-post at jiribam as well as open Integrated check post at moreh, he added.

regardless of the Accountant General's directive against depositing central sponsored funds in the State's account the prescribed regulation is not being adhered to for avoiding lapse of the Planning Commission allocation, he clarified.

Joining in the demand discussion, Revenue Minister Th Debendra stated that an expert committee would be entrusted to minutely studying and propose effective mechanism for preservation of productive lands.

Acknowledging that a proper mapping of Manipur's total geographical area is a necessity to prevent unwanted incidents, Debendra also suggested that inspite of MLR Act not applicable in the hill districts there is still need for official recording of the respective locations.

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