Susindro commits to delivering water everywhere
No plan to set up mini sports complex in all 60 constituencies : Govindas
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, February 27 2023: While stating that the assembly has not been misinformed on the report that PHED is supplying water thrice a week in Imphal areas, PHE minister L Susindro said that some areas are not receiving any water at all due to breakage of the pipeline from Singda Dam.

Nonetheless, efforts are being made to deliver potable water to every nook and cranny, he added.

Responding to a question on supply of water in Imphal area and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) raised by Congress MLA K Ranjit during question hour of the ongoing session of Manipur Legislative Assembly on Monday; minister L Susindro informed that Imphal area require around 133.52 MLD of water per day.

The connection from Chingkhei Ching-Maphou Dam is able to provide 85 MLD per day.

Combining the aforementioned with the water provided by Singda and other water supply schemes, there will no longer be any water shortage issue in Imphal and Greater Imphal areas.

Highlighting that the dry spell usually last from December to April, the minister remarked that although the government is unable to ensure adequate supply of water, it is trying to meet at-least half the demand.

Under the JJM guidelines, around 75 percent of Manipuri households now have water connections, with the pipelines being laid by the government.

Owing to the shortage of water at sources, the people are supplied water thrice a week, while in some areas with good water access, it is being supplied 24 hours.

However, as many use motor pumps to draw the water, areas that are far away from the water reservoir do not get any water.

Thus, when pipelines are laid for setting up water connections, the requisite holes are drilled from the topmost portion of the pipes to deter the usage of motor pumps.

Susindro continued that there is no report of the water being released in the early hours of morning but assured of rectifying the timings, if there is any.

JJM guidelines dictate water to be supplied 24 hours.

However, when the mission was launched, there were not enough pipelines although the water sources are many.

Now, after the pipelines have been laid, the water sources have dried up, thereby delaying the operation of many completed water supply schemes.

On the other hand, no maintenance fee of Rs 4150 is charged when connecting the pipes.

Strict action will be initiated if such charges were found imposed.

Although Chingkheiching Water Treatment Plant has just become operational, it will cover the areas of Uripok and Thangmeiband.

As the pipes used for supplying water from the Plant are new, there are issues of repeated repairs, flooding of localities, etc., which the department is trying to resolve as soon as possible.

Responding to MLA Th Lokesh war regarding the water supply scheme taken up in Khundrakpam, Susindro said that that a target has been set by PHED to complete schemes being taken in all 60 ACs under NDB, by 2024.The water supply scheme being operated from donated land is run by VWSC in rural areas and by the department in urban areas.

He, however, clarified that the claim of property owners appointed as chowkidar/lineman as compensation is false.

Replying to another question from Lokeshwar on Mini Sports Complex, Sports minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that there is no plan to set up mini sports complex in all 60 constituencies.

Athletes are able to compete at the national and international levels due to the support of CSOs, clubs and district sports associations, in addition to the various government schemes.

Presently, one discipline per district is being taken up by the government under Khelo India for the first phase.

As such, the centre has sanctioned opening of a centre for 32 disciplines, he conveyed.

Meanwhile, district sports complexes have been set up in most areas except for 3 districts which are currently embroiled in court cases.

For Imphal West, programmes have been taken up under PM DevINE.

In this regard, a booklet has been released and the government is planning to formulate a scheme after a detailed report pn the total number of grounds in the constituencies is prepared.

Responding to a question raised by Kshetrigao MLA Noorul Hassan on Khelo India Sports Centre, Govindas informed that there is no plan to set up a Khelo India Centre in Kshetrigao AC.

In response to a question raised by Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei on the Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong and Tongjei Maril roads, Govindas, who is also in-charge of Works, said that there is plan of the state government to upgrade the historic Tongjei Maril (Old Cachar Road) to the status of National Highway.

However, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is yet to publish the final order/gazette.

He further informed the house that the said road is among the 7 roads whose upgradation to NH status has been approved in principle.

To another question asked by Janghemlung, the Works minister presented the current status of the Asian Development Bank funded Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong Road in the House.

The said project is under progress with physical progress of 78 percent and financial progress of 72.60 percent as on January 31, while the loan closing date of the project is scheduled on June 30 this year.

Replying to MLA Surjakumar Okram on state illness assistance fund, Health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan informed that the delay in distribution of funds to beneficiaries under Manipur State Illness Assistance Fund (MSIAF) is due to the launch of Chief Ministergi Hakselgi Tengbang (CMHT) in January, 2018, which eventually led to the dissolution of MSIAF.

Nonetheless, a screening committee is carrying out scrutiny under MSIAF guidelines to distribute the funds.

So far, there are 1929 pending applicants for MSIAF and the total pending amount is Rs 29 crore.

Responding to a question posed by MLA Noorul Hassan regarding educational infrastructure in Kshetrigao AC, Education minister Th Basantakumar said that Irilbung High School was developed in the first phase of School Fag-athansi Mission from 2019-20 to 2020-21, while in the second phase, Porompat Sabal Leikai High School was developed.

The Project Approval Board (PAB) of Samagra Shiksha (elementary) has approved the construction of toilets and renovation of dilapidated schools for the term 2022-23.On top of this, the Board has given its approval for infrastructure development of Samagra Shiksha (Secondary) for 2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22 and 2022-23.However, there is no plan to upgrade Rahmania High School to a full-fledged government high school, he added.

On the call attention motion moved by MLA Thangjam Arunkumar on the prob able indefinite bandh on Imphal-Ukhrul road by women street vendors of Khuman Lampak area, MAHUD minister Yumnam Khemchand said that all stakeholders will be consulted for identifying alternate site for setting up permanent market sheds after the completion of the assembly session.

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