Ring road around Loktak to come up : CM
House discusses and passes Demand for Grants unanimously
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 04 2012: Construction of a ring road covering the entire surrounding area of Loktak Lake is under process and demarcation started already; Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today informed the state Assembly.

Chief Minister O Ibobi was replying to various questions raised by Members of the House during discussion on Demand for Grants related to State Legislature (Rs 33,91,08,000), Council of Ministers (Rs 4,51,24,000), Secretariat (Rs 59,65,03,000), MAHUD (Rs 2,34,18,60,000), Election (Rs 5,02,78,000), Planning (Rs 8,01,61,89,000) and Tourism (Rs 8,16,06,000) .

During the discussion on seven demand for grants, Opposition MLAs Dr I Ibohalbi, L Ibomcha and Th Shyamkumar raised many questions and token cut motion.

In his response to the discussion, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that the state government is paying attention to development of Tourism in the state.

Plans are afoot for construction of a ring road around Loktak lake and demarcation in this regard is already underway.

The government has taken up steps to beautify Kaina, which is not just an important place of worship but also a tourist destination.

The Chief Minister stated that Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) would be upgraded into a corporation and the Nagar Panchayats would also be upgraded into Municipalities in a phase-wise manner.

The Chief Minister observed that there should be no differences of opinion between the Ruling and the Opposition when it comes to taking up developmental programmes.

The two should walk hand in hand in matters of development programmes.

A time schedule for the MLAs to meet the Chief Minister to discuss developmental issues of their respective constituencies would also be chalked out very soon, he assured.

Earlier, moving a cut motion over the demand of grants for Secretariat, MAHUD, Planning and Election, Opposition MLA Dr I Ibohalbi pointed out that some of the staffs of Secretariat warmly welcomed the ruling MLAs whenever they make an entry in the Secretariat but cold shoulder treatment to the opposition MLAs.

There are also reported cases of files going missing in the Secretariat.

Since it is an important place where all departmental works are carried out, the officials should perform their work sincerely.

He also drew the attention of the Chief Minister and all other concerned to the complaints of the electorates against use of EVMs during elections.

Even western countries, where EVMs were used earlier, have now opted for ballot papers.

So, it is time for the government to consider the issue, he added.

MLA L Ibomcha, while moving a cut motion on the demand of Secretariat and MAHUD, contended that the salaries of the ward members and Councilors of IMC are very low.

So, the salaries need to be increased in tune with the changing trend.

He also pointed out the need to set up a service rule of the Engineers of PWD.

MLA Th Shyamkumar, who also raised a cut motion, informed the House that the Kaina and Andro which are two tourist important spots have always been neglected by the government.

MLA K Meghachandra also stressed on the need to develop the Loktak Lake.

After the cut motions were withdrawn, the demand for grants were passed by the House unanimously.

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