Governor's address-No mention of drug menace, says MLA O Joy
Discussion on Governor's address to the House
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 09 2011: Drug addicts are also among those who are responsible for disturbing the law and order in Manipur.

But the address of the Governor has made no mention on the issues related to the youth of the State who are the future pillars, Opposition MLA O Joy has pointed out in the discussion on passing of the Governor's address in the State Assembly today.

Participating in the discussion of the motion moved by Congress MLAs Dr Kh Loken and Dr Kh Ratankumar for passing the Governor's address, O Joy pointed out that there have been many cases in which the police arrested drug addicts.

These drug addicts are mostly youth and the youth are the future.

So, it is the duty and the responsibility of the Government to initiate and implement welfare measures for the youth.

Even if there is adequate infrastructure and factories, what would be the use if there is no youth to work ion them ?, O Joy questioned, and added that issues related to the problems of youths in Manipur should be included in the Governor's address.

Asserting that the Governor's address is nothing but pre-planned programmes and policies of the Government, O Joy observed that the current conflict in Manipur is a political conflict.

So, there is the need for the State and the non-State actors to start dialogue and resolve the problem.

Joy in his elements

Proposing that a Legislative Council should be set up to ensure participation of all communities in the development process of the State and a separate high court of the State so that the lawyers in Manipur can reached the Supreme Court, O Joy lamented that the Governor's address has not made any mention on setting up of a separate high court.

He further pointed out that the Governor's address has not made any mention on issues related to employment generation despite the fact that the figure of unemployment in Manipur has crossed 5 lakhs.

Similarly, corruption is a wide spread today, but there is no mention on the measures to curb this menace.

There has been no Act of the Government to save the shrinking agricultural land.

Yet there is no mention on utilising the vast tract of land available in the hills, O Joy pointed out, adding that all these problems and issues should be taken note of in the Governor's address, then they (the Opposition) would also join in passing the motion.

MLA Morung Makunga, who also participated in the discussion of the motion, observed that there should be no discrimination between the Ruling and the Opposition when it comes to taking up developmental activities by the Government.

Lack of proper developmental works would give the impression that the Government is not in favour of development of Manipur.

He alleged that Social Welfare Department does not pay serious attention to implementation of welfare programmes for the women and children.

Proper dispersal of family benefit and minority grant too has not been reflected in the Governor's address.

With regard to rural development, Marung Makunga asserted that the mandated 100 days of work under NREGS is not being provided to the job card holders and the fund for the material components are being misused.

Quality is also being maintained in the construction of roads under PMGSY.

MLA RK Anand also participated in the discussion of the motion.

From the side of the ruling party, MLA Dr Loken and Dr Ratankumar contended that the Governor's address has highlighted the activities of the Government in a very lucid manner and it is a complete address.