'No question of depriving customary rights of Royal family'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 01 2013: While assuring that the customary rights of the Royal family would not be affected by the Government's policy, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has sought cooperation from all MLAs towards preservation of Sana Konung (Royal Palace) .

He was speaking in the State Legislative Assembly while moving the Manipur Appropriation Bill No.3, 4, 5 and 6 for passage in the House today.

MLAs Th Shyamkumar and Laisom Ibomcha made several comments and suggestions on the bills.

Opposition Leader Dr I Ibohalbi raised an issue to settle the controversy over the decision to take over Sana Konung by State Government at the earliest.

Clarifying to Dr Ibohalbi, Chief Minister Ibobi said that the State Government has decided to preserve the Sana Konung under the Historical Monument Act and it would not harm the customary rights of the King.

The main structure "Chongabon" of the Royal Palace is not to be reconstructed, it would be renovated and beautified in due consultation with experts and architects.

The King and his family would be housed elegantly near the Chongabon and there would be no restriction on the King performing religious and customary duties at the Palace, he noted.

Ibobi further stated that Manipur was once an independent Kingdom and it got merged to the Indian Union after its independence.

The State Government is striving to give an elegant look to the Palace to show the State's past era of being an independent Kingdom to foreign visitors.

The Royal Palace of Tripura has also been well developed by the Government allowing the Royal family to settle near the Palace, Chief Minister added.

The Kangla Fort has been developed and preserved by the State Government with adequate funds from the Centre.

The State Government has also taken the decision to take over the Sana Konung with the motive of preserving as a landmark historical monument, Ibobi averred.

He further disclosed that the State Government had talks with the Titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba while his mother was alive on two/three occasions.

The Government would continue talks with the King and members of Sana Konung Kanba Lup, Chief Minister asserted.

Ibobi also appealed to all MLAs to render utmost support and cooperation to the State Government while preserving and developing the historic Sana Konung.

On the other hand, MLA Ibomcha raised an issue of supplying unhygienic water from Kangla Moat by some cart-pullers in Imphal City.

Chief Minister Ibobi replied that Kangla is under the jurisdiction of Kangla Fort Board.

The water of Kangla Moat is not fit for drinking and so the State Government would look into the issue, he assured.

Agriculture Minister Md Abdul Nasir assured MLA Th Shyamkumar that he would look into the alleged case of misappropriation of funds for organic farming.

Education Minister clarified that Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM)has barred several students from appearing in HSLC Examination in hill centres as their motive for opting hill centres was not fair.

Home Minister Gaikhangam stated that the police are still trying hard to trace the whereabouts of missing Irabanta.

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