Imphal, March 10, 2010: Responding to posers raised by opposition legislators pertaining to the SPF Government's Supplementary Demand for Grant 2010, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said due to certain constraints in the implementation of welfare programmes approval of the House has become mandatory.

As MPP leader O Joy Singh expressed scepticism on the Government's financial management mechanism, the CM explained that apart from execution of Central sponsored schemes the State has to be financially prepared for extending assistance in the sector of relief and disaster management for which the amount cannot be static.

He further stated that to meet expenditures related to relief and disaster management revised estimate becomes inevitable which is also the same for the introduction of supplementary demand as the State's plan size had not been finalised when the Assembly session commenced.

Citing the above conditions, the CM, who also holds the finance portfolio said seeking vote on accounts for four months effective from April this year is mandatory.

highlighting other plans of the SPF Government, he said on completion of land demarcation of the then MSRTC complex which is under the Transport Department the same plot would be utilised in an efficient manner.

Regarding compensation to land owners affected by the proposed Integrated Check Post at Moreh, Ibobi confided to members of the House that Deputy Commissioner concerned has been instructed to disburse compensation amount as per wish of the respective owners.

Confirming media report of a Kuki armed group, that is a signatory to the suspension of operation agreement with the Government, has been insisting that the affected land owners pay certain percentage of the compensation amount, the Chief Minister warned that ground rule of the SoO agreement would be reviewed in case the monetary demand persist.

He also asserted that the Government is very serious about the recent incident of the same SoO signatory armed group's involvement in the fraudulent withdrawal of huge amount from a Churachandpur district bank.

On the education sector, he expressed that a thorough verification process is very much necessary to authenticate whether schools in far areas have the requisite number of teachers.

While conveying that efforts are being made to ensure availability of two fire-tenders at each of the hill district headquarters, the CM confided to the members of the Government plan for electrification of every village by 2012 under a Central sponsored scheme.

Reacting to the opposition MLAs' contention that leniency on the part of Government machinery is a contributory factor for the state facing constant power crisis, he said a designated Judge would be put in place to initiate legal action against power tax defaulters.

Prior to the CM's clarifications, langthabal AC's O Joy, without taking names lashed out at Minister(s) to act and behave as responsible people's representative.

apparently referring to the recent incident of an unnamed Minister inflicting gun-shot wounds to the Advocate General, the seasoned politician described the incident as disgraceful to the entire legislatures.

He desired that such Minister(s) mend their conduct so that the honourable tag remains synonymous with the elected representatives.

Continuing his tirade against Ministers, he mockingly pleaded to atleast reciprocate when MLAs try to have telephonic conversation on certain important issues.

Alleged that whenever Government makes financial releases Ministers concerned inexplicably vanish, Joy also suggested that inspite of prevailing law and order situation, telephone calls from MLAs could be conveyed by security personnel/officers assigned to the particular Minister.

He construed that when Minister(s) avoid even MLAs the fate and distress of the general public could be easily measured.

Accepting that in the last few years there had been gradual improvement in the State's financial position, the MLA nevertheless stressed on the need for ensuring freedom from all financial burden being endured by the State.

On the SPF Government's proposal for supplementary demand placed before the House on the first day of the session, he opined that such a proposition compels one to suspect the intention as the original bill amount approved in the previous Assembly session is yet to be exhausted.

He further suggested that as manipur is resource-starved every possible income should be effectively collected rather than wishfully expect the Centre to enhance funding.

Highlighting that under the objective of financial wellbeing of the economically unsound families, MLAs had been promoting self help groups at their respective assembly segments, O Joy ridiculed the Government's policy of extending loan facility through the State bank of India while the State Government maintains account at other banks.

Joining in the discussion, MPP's I Ibohalbi pointed out that some State Government Departments inspite of its budgetary allocation further enhanced through supplementary provision could not utilise the amount within the financial year.

He also proposed that in case there is likelihood of funds not utilised within the specified period, timely process should be initiated for diversion to other sector.

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