Imphal, July 14 2010: Steps are being taken up to set up a high level committee to finalise and demarcate the exact boundary of Manipur, Revenue Minister Th Debendra today informed the Assembly.

During a discussion on the demands of Land Revenue, Stamps & and Registration and District Administration, Public Works Department and Administration of Justice, the Minister acknowledged that whether the geographical area of Manipur is still 22,327 sq kms or not has become questionable following boundary dispute with Myanmar and Assam.

In addition to the dispute over the exact location of International boundary pillar no.76, 78, 89 and 90 of Manipur with Myanmar, there is also the problem of erosion of land portion of Chorro Khunou of Ukhrul, Molcham of Chandel and Jiribam by Barak river that had led to inclusion of these land masses with Assam.

So, efforts are being made to take up the issue in the Cabinet so that a high level boundary committee can be set up to demarcate the exact boundary of Manipur, the Minister informed.

The Minister further informed the House that land survey has not yet been carried out in the hill areas of Manipur.

So there is an urgent need for carrying out a survey.

Revenue Department has computerised all land records and there is the need to monitor whether the MLR and LR Act is being implemented properly or not, the Minister said, while stressing on the need for modernisation and skill upgradation to strengthen the district administration.

He also informed that the State Cabinet has already taken a decision to check whether the value of the land at the time of selling is registered lesser or not.

To upgrade Jiribam into a full-fledged revenue district, necessary infrastructures are being developed.

Reminding the Cabinet decision to evict encroachers from Reserved Forest areas, the Minister said alleged land allocation in Langol Reserved Forest area by Senapati district is being looked into.

The 13th Finance Commission has agreed to set up one adhoc district Judge in every district.

This would help in speeding disposal of the pending cases and deliverance of justice, the Minister said, adding that there are around 1900 cases still pending.

Participating in the discussion, Works Minister K Ranjit asserted that the condition of the National Highway 53 stretch from Imphal to Jiribam has been worsen as the BRO has not maintained the quality of the maintenance work.

So, the Prime Minister and other Ministers concerned have been approached for taking over the maintenance of the road stretch and the approval is likely to be granted within the next one week.

To ensure quality control of the works being taken up by the Department, an Additional Chief Engineer would be entrusted with the charge of monitoring cell.

He further informed that House that along with submitted seven contracts for the development of National Highway 53 so as to make motorable during the current rainy season itself, 11 dozers, 25 excavators, 5 rollers, 2 mortar driving, 56 trucks and 235 labourers have been despatched.

Among the existing bridges in between Barak and Jiribam, repairing of five Halminton bridges have been completed and the rest would be taken care off in due course of time, the Works Minister assured.

During the discussion of the demands, Opposition members Dr Ng Bijoy, Dr I Ibohalbi and RK Anand moved cut motions.

Dr Ibohalbi suggested that there should be clear cut demarcation of the boundary of all the districts and National Highways should be developed at the earliest possible with a commitment.

RK Anand observed that many districts could be created, if necessary, for effective governance.

He also proposed for upgradation of Jiribam into a full-fledged revenue district.

While pointing out that there is no other option but to develop National Highway 53 in the current situation, the MLA, however, noted that the decision of not using National Highway 39 needs to be reviewed.

Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam alleged that the value of the land is being registered at lower rate at the time of selling and there is no reliable records on land revenue and hill house taxes.

Furthermore, he pointed out that 80 percent of the staff in Revenue Department care two hoots about land allotment.

Alleging misuse of fund on account of the inherent weaknesses of the district administration, Radhabinod contended that abducted of former Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Kishan along with two other sub-ordinate staff from the district headquarters and their subsequent murder was due to the weakness of the district administration.

He also raised question on alleged allocation of land in Langol Reserved Forest area by Senapati DC.

Ruling members N Mangi and L Nandakumar were also present during discussion of demands.

After thorough discussion of the demands, Opposition members withdrew the cut motion to facilitate passing of three demands by the House.

The demands that have been passed by the House are Demand no.4 (Land Revenue, Stamps & Registration and District Administration pertaining to a sum of Rs 43,20,55,000), Demand no.8 (Public Works Department pertaining to a sum of Rs 3,18,83,22,000) and Demand no.26 (Administration of Justice pertaining to a sum of Rs 17,11,45,000) .

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