Dr Ibohalbi, Chief Minister lock horns over annual Budget, others watch mutely
House comes alive to lively debate
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 03 2012: The annual Budget for 2012-13 which was tabled at the State Assembly yesterday was subjected to intense debate today with Opposition member Dr I Ibohalbi terming it directionless and aimless.

However, the discussion was confined between Dr Ibohalbi and Chief Minister O Ibobi as other members of the House, both ruling and Opposition kept away from the debate.

Initiating the debate, Dr Ibohalbi pointed out that the Budget estimates do not reflect the particular departments where the Government is giving priority even if it was said that the priority sectors include power supply, potable water, roads and bridges and health.

In overview, the Budget estimates seem devoid of any concrete aims and objectives.

Ibohalbi went on to charge that the annual Budget was directionless and devoid of any vision which was rather a hazard.

The Budget did not reflect any effort of the Government to provide jobs to educated unemployed youths and promote their welfare.

Human resource development did not find any place in the Budget and many loopholes were visible in social sector, Dr Ibohalbi asserted.

Chief Minister O Ibobi and MLA Dr I Ibohalbi

Chief Minister O Ibobi who is also in charge of the Finance portfolio, while vehemently denying the charges made by the Opposition member maintained that the Budget was neither directionless nor aimless.

All the fruits of the Government's efforts aimed at improving transport infrastructure, augment potable water supply capacity and ensuring adequate power supply must by shared by both the ruling and Opposition members.

As far as development works are concerned, the incumbent Government does not see any difference between the Opposition parties and the ruling party.

Of the total plan outlay of the State, 90 per cent were given by the Planning Commission.

Whereas the State has little resources of its own, the annual expenditures have doubled following implementation of the 6th Pay Commission's recommendations.

Nevertheless, certain amounts have been reserved as unallocated fund and the Government is paying due attention to agriculture, education, sports, art and culture, health and social sectors, Ibobi stated.

The Government is also working to achieve connectivity with all the roads and highways passing through hill districts.

Necessary fund has been earmarked for construction of approach road so that Loktak Downstream Project can be initiated.

To facilitate speedy preparation of DPRs for all sorts of projects, MIT based at Manipur University has been granted recognition by the Centre, the Chief Minister informed the House.

Talking about law and order situation, Ibobi stated that the Government is unable to deploy 200/300 reserved police personnel in all hill district headquarters in addition to posting 50 to 60 police personnel in each police station which is necessary for effective administration in hill districts.

The plan to recruit 4000 police Constables cannot be translated into action because the Government has a fear if their salaries cannot be paid on account of the State's not so healthy financial condition.

At present, the Govt is spending Rs four crores annually in giving salaries and ration money to VDFs, Ibobi stated.