Govt committed to uplift tribal people: Vungzagin
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, August 25 2021: The 13th session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine die on Tuesday.

The five-day session of the Assembly that had three sittings figured eight obituary references, 18 Starred Questions, 16 Un-starred Questions, one Withdrawal, four Papers laid, five Calling Attention, 17 Intimation of Government Assent Bill, one Motion for Extension of Time For Presentation of Committee Report, four Presentation of Committee Report, seven Government Bills introduced and seven Government Bills passed.

Sharing his observation on the 'The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill, 2021', Tribal Affairs & Hills minister Vungzagin Valte appealed to all the tribal communities in the state to have faith in the due process of the law and asserted that the present government is committed to provide tribal centric development in all the hill areas.

With reference to the Tribal Affairs & Hills department having issued a clarification with regard to receipt of an advance copy of draft "The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021" from the Hill Areas Committee on August 17, the minister iterated that the draft Bill is a complicated matter as it even proposes repealing the Act passed by Parliament namely Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971 (the Principal Act).

Further stating that his Department has consulted with all stakeholders including the Law Department and office of the Advocate General, Vungzagin disclosed that the stakeholders gave their opinions that the proposed legislation needs careful examination according to the due process of law and the same has been processed accordingly by constituting a committee.

Vungazagin said that he as a tribal and the Minister in charge of the Tribal Affairs & Hills is determined to protect and uphold interests of the tribal communities and take up developmental activities in the hills at all times.

He also highlighted that the present BJP-led government has already taken up several initiatives like "Go to Hills", "Hill Leaders Day".

Cabinet meetings in the hill districts were also held to review work progress, the minister mentioned in his speech on the issue.

Bringing up the issue during the Zero Hour, Ukhrul MLA Alfred Kanngam Arthur, who is also a member of the HAC, while contending that the TA & H minister is a habitual absentee at Council meetings, urged Speaker Y Khemchand to advise the minister to be resent in the meetings.

Stating that participation of the minister is essential for discussing and taking decisions to uphold interest of the tribal communities and initiate developmental projects in the hills, Alfred regretted that the minister shared his views on the ADC Bill issue without taking part in the HAC meeting.

Meanwhile, replying to calling attention motion raised by MLA D Korungthang on the reported deteriorating condition of the Manipur Guest House at Vellore, Tamil Nadu, chief minister N Biren said that the government has already taken up works to increase number of Manipur Bhawans and guest house in other states.

He said that the government has initiated relevant process to transfer the present Manipur Guest House at Vellore from the Social Welfare to the General Administration Department (GAD).

The CM said that there are reports of locals showing reluctance to patients coming and staying at the guest house and acknowledged that the facility, which has 11 flats in three different blocks, is in a deplorable condition and only four flats are usable for lodging purpose.

Biren also confided to the members that the government will try to acquire a new site at Vellore and to operate the present guest house properly by engaging some contractual staff until then.

In reply to a Starred Question raised by MLA Th.Lokeshwar Singh, Works Minister Thongam Biswajit said that process is underway for maintenance of state highways, MDRs, ODRs and IVRs in accordance to the available budget and the work.

In reply to a Starred Question raised by MLA Surjakumar Okram, Finance Minister Y Joykumar said that there has been adverse impact on the state's economy due to COVID-19 lockdown and curfew.

As per the statement laid in the House, regarding the steps taken up to mitigate economic losses suffered by the state during the pandemic period, he said there has been calibration of lockdown and restrictions, increasing capital expenditure, increasing public administration expenditure, improving state's resource availability, effective implementation of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and providing essentials and support to those in need.

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