Demand for Grants of Rs 1477 Cr passed amid Opposition walk out
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19 2020: On the 4th day of the 10th session of the 11th Manipur State Assembly today, Demand for Grants to the tune of Rs 1477.21 crore were passed after the Opposition members staged a walk out.

The demands are Rs 893,96,78,000 for Public Works Department, Rs 34,86,87,000 for Co-operation, Rs 89,49,06,000 for Administration of Justice, Rs 429,04,13,000 for Social Welfare Department, Rs 5,42,68,000 for Science and Technology and Rs 24,41,78,000 for Economics and Statistics.

During the session, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who is also in charge of Finance, introduced the demands on the floor of the House.

While discussing the demand for Social Welfare, MLA K Govindas staged a walk out with other Opposition Members on the ground that an appeal for CBI investigation into the alleged misuse of the food grains intended for children, through Anganwadi Centres, was sidelined/neglected.

However, even without the Opposition Members, the House passed Rs 1477.21 for the 6 Demands in Grants.

Demand for Grants of Rs 1477 Cr passed amid Opposition walk out

During the deliberation of the demands, MLA K Govindas sought the attention of the House by alleging that the Central Sponsored Scheme (CSS) undertaken by the Social Welfare Department are not upto the expectation of the people.

Referring to a news report carried by an Imphal based English daily on November 4 last year, the MLA claimed that almost 80 percent of the food grains intended to be provided to Anganwadi Centres for feeding the children, were diverted by 3 transport contractors and instead supplied to a shop/agent at Thangal Keithel.

The three transport contractors robbed the food grains meant for 9 districts.

They are supposed to take out the food grains every three months and in a year, they are supposed to provide around 500 truck loads of food grains to the Anganwadi Centres.

However, more than 400 truckloads have been misused, the MLA alleged, pointing out that the names of the three transport contractors and the private shop at Thangal Keithel are mentioned in detail in the English daily.

Govindas said that the present State Government always make tall claims that it will root out corruption.

The Government also initiated CBI investigation into Loktak Phumdi clean-up scam, MDS scam and Tribal Development issue etc.

So it is imperative for the Government to ensure CBI investigation into the disappearance of these food grains, Govindas demanded.

In response to the issues raised by Govindas, Social Welfare Minister Nemcha Kipgen said that she did not come across the alleged news report but she assured that necessary investigation will be carried out and action will be taken up.

The Minister also informed the House that there is no failure in providing nutritious food in Anganwadi centres.

Honorarium of Anganwadi workers and helpers were also increased.

The Department is also intent on increasing honorariu,m which was announced by PM Modi last year that it will be increased to Rs 4500 per month.

She stated that election for All Manipur Canoeing and Kayaking Association could not be held earlier as there was a Court case.

However, the Court has instructed to resolve the issues within March 7, this year.

She further informed the House that the Co-operation Department has waived off loan defaulters.

In response to the debate initiated by MLA Govindas on disappearance of rice, Chief Minister N Biren Singh explained that on the November 5 issue of the same daily, the transport contractors had clarified that they did not misuse the food grains.

However, he assured that the appropriate State agency will be instructed to investigate the matter and the guilty, if any, will be punished.

If prima facie evidence is found, the CBI can be tasked with the investigation, Biren added.

After hearing the arguments of the Chief Minister, Govindas said that if the case will not be handed over to the CBI, the policy cut motion in the demands for grants will not be revoked and the demands cannot be passed as well.

He then led the Opposition members to a walk out.

While giving a clarification during discussion of the demands for grants of Public Works Department, Th Biswajit Singh informed the House that Civil Secretariat of the Capital complex will be completed by December this year.

75 percent of the construction works have already been completed, he said adding that there is speedy progress in the construction of the National Highways, which are the life lines of Manipur.

The stipulated time for completion of Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road was February this year, however, it was extended, the Minister added.

PMGSY � I has been completed successfully, sanction for PMGSY �II has also been obtained and the State has qualified for PMGSY-III which will cover about 815 kms.

On Imphal-Mao stretch, a DPR has been completed for four lane project.

Materials of super structure for construction of Makru bridge on Imphal-Jiribam road will be transported by next month and it is expected to be completed by December this year.

Imphal-Jiri road, which is currently two lane will also be upgraded to four lane in due course of time, Biswajit asserted.

The Minister also informed the House that he will look into the matter of implementation of Digital Application for Review by Public and Nation.

The Department would be able to release work order for the year 2018-19 to avoid overlapping.

He also clarified that there is no convergence of works in PMGSY and MSRRDA.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that the National Highway of Imphal-Jiribam road has improved significantly after it was included in the Prime Minister's 100 day's programme.

Opposition MLAs K Govindas, K Ranjit Singh, Th Lokeshwar Singh, K Meghachandra Singh, Kh Joykisan Singh, RK Imo Singh, Alfred Kanngam Arthur and Surjakumar Okram raised policy cut motion during discussion of the Demands for grants.